Seunfunmi Joshua
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 – “Accelerate Action”, serves as a powerful call to speed up progress toward gender equality. Imagine a young girl in Lagos, full of dreams of becoming a tech innovator, yet facing systemic barriers that make her journey twice as hard. Or a market woman in Kano, working tirelessly to support her family while struggling with financial exclusion. These realities reflect a broader issue, one that affects millions of women across Nigeria and beyond. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current pace, full gender parity won’t be reached until 2158 which means more than five generations from now. This underscores the urgent need for swift and decisive efforts to break systemic barriers and biases faced by women in both professional and personal spheres.
Here are seven (7) impactful ways individuals, businesses, and society can “Accelerate Action” and drive real change:
- Push for Equal Pay Now, Not Later
The gender pay gap remains a pressing issue worldwide. Organizations must take immediate steps to conduct pay audits, ensure salary transparency, and implement policies that guarantee equal pay for equal work. Individuals can advocate for pay equity in their workplaces by speaking up and supporting legislation that mandates fair wages.
- Increase Women’s Representation in Leadership
Women continue to be underrepresented in boardrooms and executive roles. Accelerating action means actively recruiting, mentoring, and promoting women into leadership positions. Businesses must prioritize policies that create a pipeline for female talent and ensure a more inclusive corporate structure.
- Dismantle Workplace Bias and Harassment
Systemic biases and workplace harassment prevent many women from thriving professionally. Companies should implement bias training, enforce strict anti-harassment policies, and create safer environments where women can work without fear of discrimination.
- Invest in Women-Led Businesses and Startups
Access to capital remains a significant challenge for female entrepreneurs. Governments, financial institutions, and venture capitalists should prioritize funding women-led businesses, ensuring that female founders receive the support needed to succeed and innovate in various industries.
- Expand Access to Education and STEM Opportunities
Women are still significantly underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Educational institutions and organizations must promote STEM programs for young girls, provide mentorship opportunities, and create pathways for women to enter and thrive in these industries.
- Strengthen Policies for Work-Life Balance
Many women struggle to balance career and family due to a lack of supportive workplace policies. Governments and businesses must implement paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and affordable childcare solutions to enable women to excel both at work and at home.
- Ensure Women’s Equal Inclusion in Politics
Women’s voices are essential in shaping policies that affect their lives, yet political representation remains alarmingly low. Governments and political parties must actively encourage and support women in running for office. Policies such as gender quotas, leadership training, and campaign funding support can help bridge this gap. A more diverse political landscape ensures decisions reflect the needs of all citizens, not just a select few.
Final Thoughts: The Time for Change is Now
“Accelerate Action” is more than just a theme, it’s a mandate for immediate and sustained efforts to close the gender gap. By driving change at individual, corporate, and societal levels, we can create a world where gender equality is not a distant goal but a present reality.
This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to taking bold steps toward a more equitable future. The time for change is now!
