Saturday, 8 March 2025, marks International Women's Day (IWD), a global celebration of women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. This year's theme, “Accelerate Action”, emphasises the urgency of advancing gender equality worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity is projected to be achieved by 2158—approximately five generations from now.

For more than a century, International Women's Day has recognised women's contributions and championed gender equality. Originating from early twentieth-century labour movements in North America and Europe, it grew into a global movement for women's rights.

Australia first observed IWD in 1928, with women advocating for equal pay, an eight-hour workday for shop assistants, and paid leave. Since then, IWD has evolved into a global call to action—reflecting on progress made, celebrating achievements, and mobilising for further change. Today, it remains a powerful platform to address persistent barriers to equality and drive meaningful action.

This year’s theme calls for swift and decisive measures to eliminate systemic barriers and biases that hinder women's progress.

Accelerating Action: A Collective Responsibility

The “Accelerate Action” theme serves as a rallying cry for individuals, organisations, and governments to intensify their efforts in promoting gender equality. It underscores the importance of implementing effective strategies and amplifying initiatives that have proven successful in advancing women's rights.

Accelerating Action can include:

• forging women's economic empowerment
• recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent
• supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
• designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
• helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
• involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
• providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
• elevating women and girl's participation and achievement in sport
• promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls
• addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls.

IWD reports:

“Accelerate Action is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women's advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation.

“Significant barriers to gender equality remain, yet with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere.”

Supporting the Supporters

A pivotal aspect of accelerating action is supporting organisations dedicated to empowering women and girls. These entities play a crucial role in dismantling systemic barriers and fostering environments where women can thrive. By providing financial support, volunteering, or amplifying their messages, we can contribute to their impactful work.

UN Australia’s Theme: March Forward for a gender equal future

This year’s International Women’s Day also marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark commitment to advancing gender equality worldwide. While progress has been made, challenges persist in Australia. Two out of three women experience gender bias and discrimination in the health system. In the media, women account for less than half of bylines, with men referenced as experts 66% of the time. Leadership representation also remains unequal, with women making up only 22% of CEOs, 37% of key management personnel, and 42% of managers. There is still much work to do, and we must continue to #MarchForward for all women and girls—honouring those who came before us.

UN Australia reports:

“Thirty years ago, the world committed to a bold vision for gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Since then, we’ve seen women break barriers, reshape policies, and ignite global movements. Yet, despite significant progress, the promises made remain largely unfulfilled for millions of women worldwide. We are simply not where we should be. It’s time to turn promises into progress.”

It is time to March Forward!

Actions to Accelerate Progress

Victorian Government

Through its Social Procurement Framework, the Victorian government requires all organisations bidding for government work to commit to specified social procurement outcomes. One of these relates to Women’s Equality and Safety. For example, the tender to join the largest State government panel relating to Professional Advisory Services sought a detailed commitment from each bidder to implement an approach that supports and increases gender representation and opportunities for women in the professional advisory services industry during the term of the panel agreement. Bidders were required to provide a detailed timeline and measurable targets for these initiatives.

Everyone

Each person can contribute to accelerating action for gender equality through various means:

• Educate and Advocate: Raise awareness about gender disparities and advocate for policies that promote equality in workplaces, educational institutions, and communities.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Confront and dispel gender stereotypes and biases that perpetuate discrimination and limit opportunities for women.
• Mentorship: Support the personal and professional development of women and girls by offering mentorship and guidance.
• Support Women-Owned Businesses: Patronise businesses owned and operated by women to promote economic empowerment.

International Women's Day 2025's themes, “Accelerate Action”, and “March Forward” serve as powerful reminders of the work still needed to achieve gender equality. By supporting organisations dedicated to women's empowerment, challenging societal norms, and implementing inclusive policies, we can collectively expedite progress.

Resources

• #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction (International Women’s Day)
• IWD 2025 campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ (IWD)
• About International Women’s Day (UN Women)
• IWD 2025: March Forward (UN Women Australia)

***

CourtHeath acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to Elders past and present, and to the ongoing living culture of Aboriginal people.

A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria.

***

Image: UN Women Australia

***