International Women’s Day: Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future

Every March, International Women’s Day (IWD) takes centre stage, adorned with hashtags, corporate campaigns, and events celebrating women’s contributions. While these gestures have their place, we can’t help but reflect on the profound history of this day - a history rooted not in applause but in action.

International Women’s Day originated in the early 20th century as a call for equality, justice, and systemic change. The first observance took place in 1909 in New York, organised by the Socialist Party of America in honour of women striking for better working conditions in garment factories. A year later, at the second International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, the idea of an international day for women gained traction. It became a rallying cry for suffrage, labour rights, and economic equality.

Fast forward to today, and while we’ve made remarkable strides, we can't continue the way we are going and expect meaningful success - According to the World Economic Forum, at this pace it will take 131 years to reach global gender parity!!

• For every £1 a man earns, women still earn only £0.82
• Only 8 FTSE 100 companies have female CEOs
• Women-led businesses receive just 1% of UK venture capital funding
• 54% of women still report experiencing workplace harassment
• Between 2018 and 2023, there was a 37% increase in violent crimes against women and girls

It was never meant to be a passive celebration. Instead, it was a bold acknowledgment of inequality and a collective demand for change.

It feels like the narrative around IWD in corporate spaces has shifted away from revolution and instead become a “day of celebration” - an opportunity to showcase women leaders and post inspiring quotes. While these actions shine a light on progress, they can risk glossing over deeper systemic issues still affecting women, particularly in industries like security, tech, STEM and other traditionally male-dominated sectors.

So, what should IWD mean for businesses in 2025?

Rekindling the Spirit of Action

1.  Acknowledge Uncomfortable Truths Pay gaps, unequal opportunities, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership are still prevalent. Businesses must be transparent about these challenges. Publish data, set measurable goals, and commit to accountability - not just for one day, but year-round.

2.  Move Beyond Visibility Highlighting women’s achievements is essential, but it’s not the end goal. Businesses should focus on breaking barriers - whether it’s improving hiring practices, addressing workplace biases, or creating family-friendly policies that don’t penalise women.

3.  Support Grassroots Efforts IWD was born from activism. Partner with or invest in organisations driving real change for women in your communities. Support mentorship programs, fund education initiatives, and empower women entrepreneurs.

4.  Challenge Industry Norms In sectors like security, where traditional gender dynamics still dominate, it’s time to challenge outdated perceptions. Women can and should play pivotal roles in leadership, operations, and decision-making. Businesses must work to create environments where they can thrive - not just as tokens, but as equals.

A Call to Action

Let’s use International Women’s Day as a catalyst for change rather than a calendar date for recognition. Revisit its roots and embrace the spirit of collective action.

Ask yourself:

·        Are we celebrating women without addressing the barriers they face?

·        How are we investing in systemic solutions to achieve equality?

·        Are we amplifying the voices of all women, particularly those in marginalised or underrepresented communities?

This year, let’s do more than applaud. Let’s advocate, commit, and act - not just for the women in our workforce but for women everywhere.