Accelerating action one step at a time
Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
2158. That’s when we’ll finally achieve full gender parity, at the current rate of progress, according to World Economic Forum data. 133 years away. Roughly five generations from now. Damn.
Faced with such statistics and the rollback of rights seen in some countries, it can feel bleak and overwhelming. Hopeless even.
Against such obstacles, how can I make a difference?
It’s a question I’ve been asking myself on International Women’s Day 2025. Maybe you have too?
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Yes, all women
I’m in a privileged position. I’m a straight, white, cisgender, university-educated woman, born and raised in the UK. Life could be much harder. It often is for those affected by intersectionality.
And still.
I’ve experienced plenty of gender inequality. Unequal pay, less recognition, more obligation, unfair expectations, slower promotion. Been the only woman at the table, been talked over, my contributions ignored until the same suggestions were paraphrased by a man.
And worse. Sexual harassment. Groping. A dirty phone call when I was an early teen.
Most women I know have had similar experiences. It’s utter shite, but I hope this common understanding can unite us and propel us towards taking action.
Onwards and upwards
This year’s IWD theme is Accelerate Action for gender equality. The theme aims to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.
In the crazy times we find ourselves in, it’s easy to think that our individual actions won’t have an impact. But they do.
My small actions can impact me.
My small actions can impact another woman.
Many individuals’ small actions can improve life for multiple women.
If we all raise our voices together, we can change our societies for the better.
Small is beautiful
As an individual, over the past few months I’ve been in a season of grief, burnout and overwhelm. I’ve had to safeguard my energy, and at times it’s felt like I don’t have anything left to give.
Big actions often have big impact. But today, I’m reminding myself that small actions count too. Our small actions can make a difference:
Personally: Standing up for myself can mean standing up for gender equality.
Individually: Supporting a female colleague could change their career trajectory.
Collectively: Putting my signature on a petition could change government policy.
Cumulatively: Each step forward creates a foundation for transformative change.
Baby steps
So, on IWD2025 I’m committing to taking small actions. Some ideas on my list are:
Self-care and self-expression: Prioritising myself, taking up space, expressing my views and perspective, setting boundaries and saying no when I need to.
Investing in myself: Like this afternoon, when I joined ’s wonderful IWD writing, yoga and breathwork workshop. Inspiring and energising to be with great women sharing today.
Educating myself: Within my capacity (without overwhelming my nervous system), keeping informed about what’s going on around the world (and locally) and considering where/how I might make a difference.
Advocating for myself in the workplace: Fighting for what I’m entitled to, and the recognition I deserve for a job well done.
Through role-modelling: Especially for younger/more junior women, I can set a positive example through my behaviours and actions.
Standing up for other women: Speaking up for them, holding space. Making sure they can share their views and offering support when it’s needed.
Showcasing other women: Celebrating women’s achievements, impact and contributions. This could be as simple (and sadly necessary) as highlighting that they have made important points in meetings.
Encouraging other women: Sometimes we need external validation and a little push to overcome our inner critic or to find the confidence to put ourselves forward.
Empowering other women: An immediate action is that I’m holding a workshop next week for junior colleagues on setting boundaries and saying no.
Supporting female enterprise: Buying from female writers, artists, artisans, service providers; and championing their work.
Supporting women’s rights: Through signing petitions, writing to my MP, making charitable donations. Maybe volunteering my time and skills when I can. This IWD, I’m donating to charities supporting Afghan and Palestinian women.
Harnessing my rage: When I feel the tide of anger rising, I’ll use that energy to propel me forward into greater action.
Accelerating together
By themselves, these actions might seem tiny: a drop in the ocean against a raging tide of misogyny, inequality, unfairness. It would be easy to lose faith and give up.
But then I think of stone steps in old buildings: despite their seemingly impenetrable strength, many light footsteps cumulatively wear them away, creating a dip that lasts forever more.
I also think of positive changes I’ve witnessed over my lifetime, big and small. Of fantastic achievements by women around the globe. Of glass ceilings smashed through. Of the amazing work of campaigners. Of how far we’ve come.
It’s inspiring, bringing me hope for the future and energy to take that first step.
I hope my small actions, and yours - over time and in parallel - will wear away gender disparities and put us on a more equitable footing. Sooner than WEF expects.
Let’s #AccelerateAction together, starting today.
Questions for self-reflection or journalling ✍️
How have you experienced gender inequality?
What’s one step you could take to accelerate action?
How can you advocate for yourself and/or others?
Who can you champion and support? How will you do this?
Now take action 🎯
Identify what action is within your power to take forward, big or small.
Maybe join a community group, sign a petition, donate to charity, share your skills, support female enterprise.
Commit to taking the first step. Maybe make an IWD pledge.
Raise your voice in whatever way is safe for you: with friends, creatively, at work, on social media, through lobbying politicians or companies.
Take action with kindness and compassion: towards yourself and others.
Share your perspective ✨
I’d love to hear your reflections on gender equality, inequity and women’s rights. How did you mark International Women’s Day? What actions resonate with you? Let’s have a conversation in the comments or subscriber chat. 💬
Ways to connect or work with me 💬
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I like the mix of personal and community action to further progress, Holly. It is frustrating how many lifetimes this change is taking!
Amazing Holly, some brilliant ideas here for how to take action.