International Women's Day 2025: Accelerate Action

This year, as we mark International Women’s Day, the theme Accelerate Action carries an urgency and a responsibility that we can no longer ignore. This year, it holds a deep, personal meaning for me. It’s a reminder of the painful reality that, in 2025, women are still losing their lives in their own homes, at the hands of those they should trust and love.

In Ireland, too many women have died at the hands of men they knew, and loved. We have seen it time and again, in families, in relationships, and in homes that should be places of safety. The violence faced by women is often invisible, hiding behind closed doors, and sometimes, those who carry out these horrendous acts are men with whom these women shared their lives. One of those women was my beautiful school friend, Rachel Simpson, whose life was tragically taken just before Christmas by her own son. Rachel’s death, like so many others, is a heartbreaking statistic, but it is far more than that. She was a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Her loss is deeply personal, and it is a reminder that this violence is not distant, it’s in our communities, it’s in our families, it’s here.

This year’s theme of Accelerate Action feels particularly poignant. It demands that we move faster, we take action now, and we challenge a system that allows such violence to persist. The status quo is no longer acceptable, and we need accelerated action to fight for a world where women can live without fear of violence, where equality is not just a goal, but a reality.

And this isn’t just about women. This fight is about all of us. It is everyone’s responsibility, men and women alike, to create a world of equality. A world where every individual, regardless of gender, can live safely and with dignity. We need the support of our male allies, thank you to those who stand with us, who raise their voices in unison with ours, and who are willing to speak out against violence and discrimination. Your voices are powerful, and together we can make a difference. We need you to be part of the change we so desperately need.

To every male ally out there: Your action matters. It’s not just about speaking up, it’s about listening, learning, and doing. We need you to stand by us, to challenge those who perpetuate harmful beliefs, and to help us accelerate action towards a world that’s truly equal.

International Women's Day is not just a day for women to be celebrated, but a day for all of us to reflect on what needs to change. It’s been over a hundred years since IWD began, yet so many of the challenges women face remain. From bias and stereotypes to violence and inequality, we have made progress, but there’s still so much work to do. We need more than just recognition, we need action. The statistics are shocking, but they are not inevitable. We can change them, together.

This is a call to action: let’s accelerate the change. Let’s create a world where difference is celebrated, where diversity is honoured, and where women, and men, can live free from harm, discrimination, and inequality.

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where every difference is valued and celebrated. Together, we can forge gender equality. Together, for #IWD2025, we can all #AccelerateAction.

Let’s not wait any longer. Let’s act. #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #GenderEquality