Do we really need International Women's Day?

Do we really need International Women’s Day in 2025? What purpose should it serve? Is it a celebration of progress marked by hashtags and selfies? Or is it a commemoration of the dangerous fight for equal gender rights, a tribute to people everywhere who push for a fairer world in big and small ways every day?

As it has for many years, this debate played out on LinkedIn, in the media and around my own table at home this weekend on International Women’s Day. Before you decide on where you stand, let the data do the talking.

·?????? 330 million women and girls live on less than $1.90 a day; that’s 4.4 million more than men

·?????? 15 million girls of primary school age will never get the chance to learn to read or write in primary school, compared to 10 million boys

·?????? 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18

·?????? At least 200 million women and girls in 30 countries have undergone Female Genital Mutilation.

·?????? Women do 2.6 times the unpaid care and domestic work than men do

·?????? Women are just 13% of agricultural land holders

(UN data)

Progress to a more equitable world is slow. The United Nations estimates it will take 140 years for women to be represented equally in leadership positions in the workplace. By some measures, women are even losing hard-won ground.

“We must confront a stark reality: political polarisation along gendered lines is intensifying, driven by rising misogyny and backlash against women’s rights,” according to Caroline Harper, Director of ODI Global 's Gender Equality & Social Inclusion programme.

So, the theme of IWD this year - 'Accelerate Action' – is more relevant than ever. Here's how we can help: ?

-????????? Urge women and men in positions of power to drive for progress in gender equality in their countries, organizations and homes.

-????????? Encourage women to push for decision-making positions in companies (women in c-suites -- 29%: McKinsey), on boards (women on boards -- 23%: Deloitte), and in government (women heads of state -- fewer than 10%: UN).

-????????? Mentor young women to equip them for the opportunities ahead. ?

I am clear where I stand on the debate. I wish we didn’t need IWD but, until these glaring disparities are eliminated, let’s support it in whatever way feels right for each of us -- so long as it accelerates action. ?