Celebrating policy pioneers this International Women's Day

Sally Kershaw , the Policy Profession’s Head of Strategy and Engagement, celebrates the International Women’s Day 2025 theme of 'Accelerate Action' by highlighting the achievements of 10 women who have made significant impacts on UK policy.

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Recognising female activists, politicians and leaders

International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909 to honour the garment factory workers' strike in New York, where thousands of women protested poor working conditions, hours and pay. Today, it is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Paying homage to its roots, is also a call to action for progressing gender parity.

The advancement of important social causes like gender equality are rarely down to the acts of one person. Similarly, policy making in government is also a team sport. Yet many significant policy advances in recent centuries are down to notable female activists, politicians and leaders who have championed justice, equality and human rights.

From historical pioneers to contemporary figures, these 10 women have all made significant impacts on policy in the UK.

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Amika George

Amika George is the founder of the Free Periods campaign, which aims to end period poverty and ensure all girls have access to menstrual products. She started a petition that gained over 200,000 signatures and organised protests to urge the UK government to provide free sanitary products in schools. Her efforts led to a significant policy change in 2019 when funding was announced for free sanitary products in secondary schools.

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Beatrice Webb

Beatrice Webb (1858-1943) was a sociologist, economist and social reformer who played a crucial role in the formation of the Fabian Society and the London School of Economics.

Beatrice conducted extensive research on poverty and social issues, including the Minority Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress 1905-09, which argued for a more comprehensive and state-organised system of welfare. Her ideas and advocacy influenced the development of key welfare state policies, including the establishment of unemployment insurance, health services and pensions. Her contributions and advocacy for social justice laid the foundation for the modern welfare state and have had a lasting impact on British society.

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Debbie Purdy

Debbie Purdy (1963-2014) was a campaigner for the right to assisted dying. Her legal battle to clarify the law on assisted suicide brought attention to the issue of euthanasia and the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own end-of-life care. In 2009, Debbie won her case in the House of Lords, arguing that it was against her human rights not to know if her husband would be prosecuted if he went abroad with her to die. Her activism sparked important public discussions about euthanasia, which remains a high-profile policy issue today.

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Baroness Doreen Lawrence

Baroness Doreen Lawrence is a prominent campaigner for racial justice and equality. Following the murder of her son Stephen in 1993, she has worked tirelessly to address institutional racism and improve the treatment of Black and minority ethnic communities in the UK. Baroness Lawrence’s determined advocacy has led to important reforms in the criminal justice system and increased awareness of racial injustice.

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Baroness Evelyn Sharp

Baroness Evelyn Sharp (1903-1983) was the first woman to become a permanent secretary in the UK, serving at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government from 1955 until her retirement in 1966. She played a significant role in post-war housing and urban planning. She was instrumental in the development of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 and championed the construction of new towns, such as Milton Keynes, to address housing shortages and urban overcrowding.

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Gina Martin

Gina Martin is an activist who, after being a victim of upskirting at a music festival, successfully campaigned to make it a criminal offence in the UK. She launched the #StopSkirtingTheIssue campaign, which quickly gained traction on social media and gathered over 100,000 signatures on an online petition. Her determination and advocacy led to the passage of the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019.

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Marcia Willis Stewart KC

Marcia Stewart is a prominent lawyer known for her work in criminal defence and human rights law. She has represented clients in high-profile cases and is a strong advocate for justice and equality in the legal system. Marcia represented the families of victims in the Hillsborough Inquest and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry where her work highlighted systemic failures and pushed for accountability and reforms to prevent future tragedies.

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Mercy Shibemba MBE

Born in Wales, Mercy Shibemba is an award-winning activist and advocate for young people living with HIV. She uses her platform to educate and inspire others about living with HIV, focusing on youth engagement and participation in clinical trials and research. As a commissioner for the HIV Commission, she has worked to ensure that the voices of young people living with HIV are heard and considered in policy making. Her advocacy has highlighted the need for equitable access to HIV testing, treatment and care, especially for marginalised communities.

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Baroness Valerie Amos

Baroness Valerie Amos has had a distinguished career in public service, including roles as the Leader of the House of Lords and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. She played a crucial role in coordinating international responses to natural disasters and conflicts in Haiti, Pakistan, Japan and Syria. Baroness Amos was the first Black woman to serve in a British Cabinet and has been a tireless advocate for humanitarian causes and international development. Her contributions have left a legacy in both national and international policy.

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Dame Stella Rimington

Dame Stella Rimington was the first female Director General of MI5, the UK's domestic counterintelligence and security agency. Her leadership and contributions to national security have paved the way for women in intelligence and security roles. During her tenure, she also instituted a policy of greater public openness that included being the first of the service’s publicly acknowledged director general and the beginning of an ongoing programme of?releasing historical files to the National Archives. Stella's career has been marked by her commitment to protecting the nation while advocating for gender equality in the field.

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The remarkable achievements of these 10 women highlight the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have on public policy. As we celebrate International Women's Day and its theme of 'Accelerate Action', let us remember that progress towards gender equality and social justice is a collective effort and that by continuing to support and amplify the voices of women, we can build a more inclusive world for all.