The International Women’s Day (IWD), which is celebrated annually on March 8, provides an opportunity to celebrate, reflect, and renew our commitment to promoting gender equality. It also serves as a reminder of the progress that we have made and the challenges that we still face in the fight for gender equality. For me, it represents a call to action and a reminder of our collective responsibility to advance the rights, equality, and empowerment of ALL women and girls, regardless of their race, class, geography, religion, or circumstances. As we mark the IWD 2025 under the United Nations theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”, and the campaign theme, “Accelerate Action”, we must ask ourselves: How far have we come and how much further do we need to go in achieving gender equality?
This year’s IWD is particularly significant because 2025 marks a vital moment with multiple anniversaries of key global frameworks shaping our collective journey towards women’s empowerment. This year, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing 1995 conference on women, a landmark event that pushed women’s issues from the margins to the centre of global discussions. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was adopted by about 189 countries, outlined 12 critical areas of concern that needed urgent intervention to achieve gender equality, including poverty, education, healthcare, violence against women, and human rights.
Although much progress has been recorded, we are still far from achieving full gender equality, and progress has been uneven. While some women have broken glass ceilings, others still struggle to access basic rights like education, healthcare, and safety. The reality is that we are still far from achieving the goals set in 1995 and no country, African or otherwise, has achieved full gender equality. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, at this current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity. This is why the 2025 campaign theme, “Accelerate Action” resonates deeply. We cannot afford to wait for over 130 years, approximately five generations from now, to achieve gender equality. The time to act is now and we must accelerate action for ALL women and girls.
Empowering women is not just about justice or fairness. It is about building stronger societies. Research shows that when women thrive, economies grow, communities flourish, and peace is more sustainable. Yet, despite these benefits, many barriers remain. Discriminatory laws, cultural norms, and systemic inequalities continue to hold women back. Women empowerment is about creating systems and structures that uplift all women, especially those who are most marginalised. It is about dismantling the patriarchy, not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
When we support each other, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves, which is the essence of true women’s empowerment. To all the women reading this, your voice matters; your actions matter; whether you are advocating for peace, breaking barriers in your workplace, or simply supporting another woman in your community, you are part of a global movement for positive change. This International Women’s Day, let us choose solidarity over competition, empowerment over envy, and action over complacency. And let us never forget: When women win, we all win. I am proud to stand with women and girls everywhere in the fight for equality. Let us accelerate action to break down systemic barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can make empowerment a reality for all.
What does the International Women’s Day mean to you? How are you accelerating action for ALL women and girls? Share your thoughts and let us keep the conversation going.
Happy International Women’s Day 2025.