International Women's Day: Accelerate Action.

A young Fulbe girl (Halima) making a presentation during a group activity on teamwork.

Invest in the young girl regardless of her socio-cultural background.

Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). A day dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. The theme for IWD 2025, “Accelerate Action,” is a powerful call to move beyond discussions and take bold steps toward closing gender gaps in all areas of society. Despite progress over the decades, women and girls continue to face significant barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and leadership. The urgency to accelerate action has never been greater, especially in a world where digital transformation, climate change, and economic challenges impact women disproportionately.

In accelerating action, we need to break barriers in education and employment. Education is the foundation for empowering women and ensuring equal opportunities. Yet, millions of girls around the world are still denied access to quality education due to poverty, cultural norms, or early marriage. Accelerating action means investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for girls, providing mentorship programs, and ensuring policies that promote equal access to academic and professional opportunities. In the workplace, the gender pay gap remains a pressing issue, and women are underrepresented in leadership positions. Companies and organizations must take deliberate action by implementing gender-inclusive policies, creating mentorship opportunities, and advocating for equal pay.

Women bring unique perspectives and solutions to leadership roles, yet they are often excluded from decision-making spaces. To accelerate progress, societies must actively support women in politics, governance, and corporate leadership. This includes removing barriers such as gender biases, workplace discrimination, and limited access to funding for women-led businesses.

One of the most urgent areas requiring accelerated action is education among women and girls from ethnic minority groups. Many of these women and girls with minority backgrounds do not have the opportunity to stand up for themselves, fight for their rights, take leadership roles and amongst other social justice. Communities should fix their mindsets and focus on empowering young girls from ethnic minority groups to promote inclusion as a way of accelerating action.

In today’s digital age, technology can be a powerful tool for advancing gender equality. Women and girls must be encouraged to participate in the digital economy, learn coding and AI skills, and use online platforms for advocacy and entrepreneurship. Closing the gender digital divide ensures that women are not left behind in an increasingly tech-driven world.

It’s imperative to know that “Accelerate Action” is more than just a theme. It is a call for individuals, organizations, and governments to commit to measurable steps that drive real change. Whether through policy reforms, educational programs, workplace equality, or community initiatives, every action counts. On this International Women’s Day 2025, let’s move beyond words and commit to concrete actions that will shape a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered future for all. The time to act is now!

Written By Nuhu Alimatu

Edited by Yakubu Hamdiatu