?? IWD is one day. We’re here all year.

International Women’s Day (IWD) always brings up mixed feelings in our newsroom. On one hand, we believe in celebrating the achievements of women in business and leadership. On the other, we can’t ignore the way this day — meant to champion progress — can sometimes feel like a performance.

At SmartCompany, we don’t need a calendar reminder to highlight?women-founded businesses?or gender-diverse leadership.

With an editorial team that’s 75% female, it’s part of how we operate every single day. We’ve profiled founders securing game-changing funding rounds, women building businesses in?industries that weren’t built for them, and leaders?rewriting the rules of work.

We also write — much more often than we’d like to — how the systemic issues that plague the business landscape in Australia?continue to?fail women.

These stories don’t just matter on March 8. And yet, every year, we brace for the same cycle.

The sudden flood of pitches about inspiring women who we often don’t hear about at any other time.

The corporate invites to host panels and events for free. The irony of utilising unpaid labour to discuss the importance of equity is almost impressive in its brazenness.

Still, we’re not here to be (too) cynical.

There is real value in what IWD represents, and the conversations it sparks. But if the only time we’re talking about women’s achievements is when it’s a branding exercise, something is missing.

The real work happens in the 364 days outside of IWD — when women are leading businesses, raising capital, advocating for change, and?pushing through challenges?that don’t disappear when the hashtags and cupcakes do.

So when we’re asked what we’re doing for IWD, my answer is: the same thing we’ve always done.

We’re here for the real stories, whenever they happen.

Thanks for reading,

Tegan Jones

Deputy editor