IWD 25

Celebrating the Strength of a Woman: Accelerate Action!

March 8 is a day set apart when the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to recognize and honor the remarkable achievements, courage, and resilience of women around the world. This day reminds us of the progress made towards gender equality and the work still to be done in advocating for gender equality. In 2025, the Always Life Fountain Initiative has chosen the theme "The Strength of a Woman: to join the Global clarion call to ‘Accelerate Action’ and call for urgent transformative efforts to empower women and break down barriers that hinder progress of women’s rights. 

The Strength of a Woman

A woman’s strength is not just physical—it is resilience in adversity, courage in the face of oppression, and determination to create a better future. Women have historically played pivotal roles in shaping societies, from the fight for suffrage to leading movements for human rights, education, and economic independence, managing of companies and driving top notch sales. Yet, despite remarkable progress, challenges remain.  Women continue to face wage gaps, work place discrimination and intimidation, underrepresentation in leadership, and gender-based violence. Millions of girls and women still struggle for access to basic education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. However, we remain optimistic, knowing that the next generation of women leaders, innovators, and change-makers are already making their mark. To honor and harness the strength of women, we must ‘accelerate action’ in concrete policies and initiatives that bring lasting change, create equity and protection for women.

This year, we join our voice to call for Accelerating Action for Equality. To accelerate action there are certain things we should put in place to ensure that women are empowered and their strength is harnessed to benefit the common wealth.

1. Bridge the Economic Gap:

Women contribute significantly to economies worldwide, yet they earn less, hold fewer leadership positions, and face higher unemployment rates. Accelerating action means recognizing the contributions women make to economic development, ensuring equal pay, increasing access to financial resources, and promoting female entrepreneurship. Governments and businesses should commit to inclusive policies that create opportunities for women to thrive. 

2. Advance Education and Skills Development:

Education is a powerful tool for empowerment. However, in many parts of the world, girls are still denied access to quality education due to cultural norms, poverty, or conflict. Accelerating action would mean investing in women’s education and mentorship opportunities for girls to prepare women for leadership roles in the future.  In some states it should be criminal for a parent or guardian to deny a child access to quality education on the basis that she is a female. The digital age that we are in presents an opportunity to close gender gaps. Women must be equipped with digital skills and access to technology to participate fully in the global economy. Initiatives that encourage women in technology, artificial intelligence, and digital entrepreneurship will shape the future.

3. End Gender-Based Violence:

Violence against women must stop. From domestic abuse to workplace harassment, countless women suffer in silence. Accelerating action means strengthening laws, improving support systems, and challenging societal norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.  The legislations put in place to protect women’s rights should be enforced and offenders brought to book without delay.

4. Promote Women in Leadership:

Qualified Women should be given a seat at the table—in politics, corporate boardrooms, and community leadership. Representation matters. By supporting and electing women into leadership positions, we can accelerate policies that prioritize gender equity and social progress. 

Accelerating action for gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal imperative. When women succeed, the families become happier, communities prosper, economies grow, and the world becomes a better place. It is time for ‘governments, organizations, and individuals to turn commitments into actions’, ensuring that every woman, regardless of identity or background, has the opportunity to thrive. 

On this International Women’s Day 2025, we invite you to join us in celebrating the strength of the women who inspire us every day. Let us honor their achievements, support their aspirations, and work together towards a brighter, more equitable future for all. The time to act is now! Let’s accelerate Action!