International Women’s Day: A Call for Gender Equality
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8 March to honour the achievements of women worldwide and to highlight the ongoing fight for gender equality. The theme for 2026 is #GiveToGain, which focuses on driving gender equality through collective action.
The roots of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century, a period marked by women campaigning for better working conditions, voting rights, and equal pay. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on 28 February 1909, and the idea for International Women’s Day was coined in 1910 by German women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin. The first official International Women’s Day took place in 1911, and since 1975, it has been sponsored by the United Nations.
Recent statistics reveal that the fight for gender equality continues. In 2024, UK government research found that only 14% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with employees were female-led, a decrease of 1% from the previous year. Additionally, the median gender pay gap for full-time employees in the UK was reported at 6.9% in 2025, while the gender pay gap for full and part-time employees stood at 12.8%.
Women are also facing challenges in the workplace, with reports indicating that in 2025, women were nearly twice as likely as men to report feeling discriminated against due to their gender. However, there are signs of progress in some sectors. For instance, women now represent more than 28% of the Top 300 at FORVIA, an increase from 13% in 2018. FORVIA aims to reach 30% women in the Top 300 and 35% women among managers and skilled professionals by 2030, with a target of 38% women among external hires by 2026.
FORVIA has emphasized the importance of International Women’s Day, stating, “International Women’s Day is both a moment of recognition and a reminder of shared responsibility.” This sentiment is echoed by Judit Mora, who noted, “We approach IWD as a prompt for action and conversation rather than a one-day celebration.” Mora further highlighted the significance of supporting spaces that foster learning and visibility beyond internal discussions.
As the world prepares for International Women’s Day 2026, the focus on collective action and shared responsibility remains crucial. Observers expect that the day will not only celebrate the achievements of women but also serve as a catalyst for ongoing discussions about gender equality and the challenges that still persist.
In a landscape where businesses are increasingly being scrutinized for their commitment to gender equality, it is vital for organizations to back their International Women’s Day initiatives with genuine actions. As one commentator noted, “If there is nothing behind your IWD post that backs you up as a pro-women business, increasingly purpose-driven job-seekers and customers will see through the facade.” This underscores the need for authenticity in the pursuit of gender equality.