Are We Marching Forward or Just Marching in Place?
Every year, International Women's Day brings a wave of conversations, commitments, and campaigns. But this year feels different.
2025 marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration
A landmark global commitment to gender equality. Three decades of promises, yet we’re still talking about “potential” rather than celebrating full progress.
The UN Women Australia theme, “March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls,”
calls on us to turn commitments into reality and ensure that every woman—regardless of background, ability, or circumstance—can thrive.
The IWD campaign theme, “Accelerate Action,” reminds us of a hard truth: At the current rate, gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158. That’s 133 years from now. My daughters. Their daughters. And their daughters after that. Are we really willing to tell them they have to keep waiting?
So here’s my challenge:
Instead of just posting about what needs to change, let’s actually do something. Let’s each commit to one bold, tangible action that will have an immediate impact on a woman’s career, leadership journey, or financial future.
If you lead,
advocate for policy changes that truly support women (paid parental leave, flexible work, real leadership development—not just ‘soft skills’ programs).
If you’re climbing the ladder,
bring another woman up with you.
If you mentor,
bring a woman into a high-stakes meeting.
If you recruit,
re-examine your shortlists for gender bias..
🚫 Action is not a slogan. It’s what we do when no one is watching.
For me, this is deeply personal. I’m the mother of two incredible daughters, both about to march forward into the workforce. I refuse to leave them a legacy that tells them they must wait for their turn. That their leadership, ambitions, and voices must fit into a system that was never built for them. That progress is always "coming" but never arriving.
I’m putting my own commitment on the table: Through SheLeads Coaching, I’m doubling down on helping women navigate leadership with confidence. I’m ensuring that every woman I work with isn’t just “in the room” but is ready to march forward and take the mic, take the seat, and take the lead.
What’s ONE action you will take
to accelerate change and support women to march forward -today, this week, this year?