International Women’s Day 2025
March brings us a powerful occasion to reflect on progress and push for change: International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th.
While March is also National Women’s Month in the UK, it’s the global celebration of International Women’s Day that truly takes centre stage.
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” urges us all to stop waiting for change and start making it happen now. For over 100 years, International Women’s Day has been a time to celebrate women’s achievements, but the reality is that, at the current pace of progress, it will take until 2158—roughly five generations from now—to reach full gender equality, according to the World Economic Forum.
That’s a long time to wait, and this year’s focus is on activism and engagement at all levels. It’s a call for individuals, governments and organisations to take real, concrete steps toward gender equality, and to recognise that gender inequality impacts different women in different ways—whether due to race, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic status.
One person who perfectly embodies the spirit of Accelerate Action is Malala Yousafzai.
Her story is nothing short of extraordinary. At just 11 years old, she began fighting for her right to education, even though it put her in danger. Growing up in northern Pakistan, where girls’ education was frowned upon, Malala anonymously blogged about her experiences as a student, speaking out about the barriers she faced simply for wanting to go to school. Her words reached the world, but unfortunately, that also made her a target. In October 2012, Malala and two other girls were shot by an extremist group assassin. She was hit in the head, but she survived, and after being flown to the UK for treatment, she didn’t stop fighting for what she believed in.
At just 14, Malala became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Today, she continues to advocate for the rights of girls everywhere to have access to education.
Malala’s story is a powerful reminder of what it means to take action, no matter how big or small. It shows us that we don’t have to wait for change to come to us; we can be the ones driving it. So, how can you get involved on International Women’s Day? It starts with taking a stand—whether that’s calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, or questioning biases wherever they may appear. It’s about celebrating women’s successes, both big and small, and supporting organisations that work to advance women’s rights. It’s also about sharing knowledge and encouraging others to join the movement.