Change has always been a slow, uphill climb. For women around the world, the journey towards equality has been marred by centuries of systemic barriers, societal biases, and deeply rooted discrimination. Yet, every step forward, however small, has been a victory carved out of struggle and resilience. But now, the clock is ticking louder than ever. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, “Accelerate Action,” is not a gentle nudge, it is an urgent call to push harder, move faster, and dismantle the obstacles standing in the way of gender equality.
This theme demands more than passive support or symbolic gestures. It calls for swift, tangible action from individuals, communities, and governments alike. According to data from the World Economic Forum, with the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, a staggering five generations from now, to reach full gender parity. This is not just a delay; it is a betrayal of the dreams and rights of millions of women and girls today. “Accelerate Action” insists that we cannot afford to wait any longer. The fight for gender equality must shift from distant aspirations to immediate reality.
To truly understand the weight of this year’s theme, it is essential to revisit the roots of International Women’s Day. This day is not a mere celebration, it is a reflection of a long-standing battle for women’s rights. International Women’s Day (IWD) first emerged in the early 1900s, during a period of rapid industrialisation and economic turmoil. Women, particularly those in the working class, faced appalling conditions, low wages, and exploitation. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. This spark ignited a global movement.
By 1910, at the second International Socialist Women’s Congress in Copenhagen, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of a global day for women, a day when women across the world would unite in their demand for equality. The following year, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time on March 19, 1911, in countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Over a million people rallied, calling for women’s rights to work, vote, and hold public office.
Over the decades, IWD has evolved from an event led by socialist movements into a worldwide platform advocating for gender equality. The United Nations officially recognised it in 1977 and began assigning themes to each year, ensuring the day’s significance remains rooted in activism and progress. Yet, despite more than a century of activism, gender equality remains an unfulfilled promise.
Accelerating action means taking deliberate and bold steps in every sector. It means closing the gender pay gap, which, despite decades of activism, still looms large. Women, on average, earn about 20% less than men globally. This gap is even wider for women of colour, women with disabilities, and those from marginalised communities. The time for lengthy debates and half-measures is over; governments must enforce pay transparency laws, and organisations must hold themselves accountable for creating equitable workplaces.
Education is another battleground. Millions of girls are still denied access to quality education due to poverty, conflict, and cultural norms. Yet, educating girls has a ripple effect—it reduces child marriage, lowers infant mortality rates, and boosts economies. Accelerating action means investing in girls’ education not as charity but as a strategic move for global development. It means ensuring that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are not male-dominated fortresses but inclusive spaces where girls can innovate and lead.
The political sphere is equally crucial. Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions worldwide. They make up just 26% of national parliamentarians globally—a painfully slow climb from 11% in 1995. Achieving gender parity in politics requires more than urging women to run for office; it demands breaking down the structural barriers that prevent them from succeeding, from sexist media coverage to inadequate support systems for working mothers.
Violence against women and girls remains a shadow over every effort for gender equality. One in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. “Accelerate Action” means strengthening legal protections, providing comprehensive support for survivors, and tackling the cultural attitudes that perpetuate violence. It means educating boys and men about consent, empathy, and respect, fostering a generation that actively rejects gender-based violence.
But the call to accelerate action is not solely a government responsibility—it extends to every individual. Allies must go beyond performative activism. It is not enough to post quotes about women’s rights on social media once a year. Real allyship means speaking up in meetings when a woman’s ideas are dismissed, challenging sexist remarks, mentoring young girls, and creating safe spaces for women to thrive. It means using privilege and platforms to push for systemic change.
Crucially, “Accelerate Action” also requires a shift in mindset. The narrative must change from “women need to catch up” to “systems need to change.” The issue is not that women lack ambition, skill, or drive, it is that the world has been designed to hold them back. Policies, workplaces, and societies must be restructured to ensure that equality is not a distant dream but a living, breathing reality.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, “Accelerate Action” is more than a theme, it is a rallying cry. It is a reminder that the fight for gender equality is urgent, not optional. The future cannot wait for gradual shifts or cautious steps. It demands bold action, unyielding commitment, and an unwavering belief that a just world is not only possible but inevitable. Let today be the day we stop asking for change and start enforcing it. Let it be the moment we push past empty promises and ignite real, lasting transformation. The time to act is not tomorrow, it is now. Let us accelerate, not hesitate, because every day we delay is another day stolen from the women and girls who deserve a fair, equal, and empowered world
