I’m going to say it: I’m sick of International Women’s Day.
Now don’t get me wrong – I do believe in what it stands for. I’m ferociously passionate about empowering and bettering the lives of the women in my community.
However, every year on International Women’s Day, we hear the same slogans and see the same social media posts. It’s another flood of pink cupcakes, corporate panels and speaking requests that don’t pay.
Quite frankly, it just feels like Groundhog Day. International Women’s Day shouldn’t just be about hashtags and feel-good messages. It’s a stark reminder that if we want real change, we must march forward for all women and girls—not just in words, but in deeds. True empowerment isn’t about giving women a token seat at the existing table; it’s about burning down that table and rebuilding it to serve everyone equitably.
So, what can we actually do to create this lasting change? It’s not a task for the faint-hearted, but it’s necessary if we’re committed to progress. Firstly, we must work harder at calling out injustice whenever and wherever we see it. Voting for policies and leaders that prioritise women’s rights is essential, as systemic change doesn’t happen by accident. Cultural shifts are driven by deliberate actions, not by inertia.
We also need to place an unwavering focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us. That means standing up for indigenous women, women of colour, LGBTQI women, disabled women and women in marginalised communities. These groups often face the harshest challenges, and fighting for women’s rights means fighting for all women, ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear. By making space for them, we enable their empowerment, and through them, empower wider communities. This is how we plant the seeds for permanent impact.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s commit to breaking free from superficial gestures. Let’s use our voices and our votes to demand real, substantive change. Progress doesn’t come from mere awareness; it stems from action—the kind that builds a new, inclusive foundation for every woman and girl.
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