19 Female Professionals Share The Importance of Accelerating Action for International Women’s Day and Beyond
Every year on 8th March, the world unites to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD)—a day dedicated to honouring the achievements of women, advocating for gender equality, and recognising the ongoing struggles women face globally. From the fight for voting rights to the push for equal pay and leadership opportunities, women have continuously shattered barriers and paved the way for a more inclusive future. But while progress has been made, the journey toward true gender equity is far from over.
#AccelerateAction – International Women’s Day 2025
To highlight the importance of this message, we recently chatted to 19 female professionals across several industry sectors to ask them – why it’s important to accelerate action on gender equality and their advice on how it can be achieved.
Read on for fantastic insights and advice…
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is particularly apt. Progress in DE&I is happening, but it’s too slow and not far-reaching enough. Rather than just sharing inspirational stories and coming together to discuss the importance of empowerment, real change will require everyone taking positive and continuous action so that inclusion becomes part of our individual, company, industry, and societal DNA.
I believe there are many people who want to make a difference, but are unsure where to start or how. As an industry, we need to come together to provide them with practical steps and tangible actions that give guidance on how to contribute to things like closing the gender pay gap, raising awareness of women’s health issues in the workplace, creating psychologically safe environments and building fintech solutions that are inclusive by design.
This starts with including actionable steps in every discussion we have on DE&I. The call to action could be as simple as asking people to share case studies on initiatives that have had a positive impact for their company or community, or sharing the details of how to join a relevant initiative or membership organisation like EWPN, of which I am UK Country Ambassador. The bigger and broader the action, the better, but it’s often the accumulation of smaller, more sustained commitments, that move the dial.
Lastly, we mustn’t forget that to create inclusion and equity, we need to involve as many diverse people and groups as possible. For instance, we shouldn’t ever just talk to women about inclusion for women – we need allies and advocates of all genders to take an interest and be an active agent of change.
Helen Owen, Vice President of Marketing at BR-DGE
I believe in a world where gender should not determine one’s opportunities, especially in business. Equality should be the default, and every individual should be treated based on their professionalism, skills and contributions, not their gender. However, I recognise that the reality is often different and discussions about women’s rights and equality highlight the barriers that still exist.
Competing for resources, recognition and advancement is a challenge for everyone, regardless of gender. But for women, these challenges are often compounded by systemic biases and historical inequalities. Confidence and competence are crucial, but they are not the sole determinants of success. A professional, capable woman should be able to thrive without having to fight extra battles for equal footing. However, structural changes and cultural shifts are still necessary for to remove these persistent barriers.
For women navigating the workplace, self-advocacy is essential. Too often, women accept salaries below market value or hesitate to negotiate for what they deserve. Being informed, networking within the industry and confidently negotiating compensation are all important steps toward financial and professional equity. If you feel undervalued, address it, just as any professional should. However, it is also critical for companies to foster an environment where fair pay and opportunities are standard, rather than leaving the burden of change solely on individuals.
Equal pay and career advancement should never be granted based on gender alone, but neither should they be denied due to outdated biases. Progress requires both individual action and systemic reform. Women should not have to “play political games” to get ahead, nor should they have to work harder than men to receive the same recognition. Companies must actively dismantle barriers and create truly inclusive workplaces where talent and effort determine success.
Real change happens when both individuals and institutions commit to it. Women should feel empowered to demand fairness, but organisations must also take responsibility for ensuring equitable policies and practices. A system that naturally “self-balances” will only do so when the right structures are in place to support true equality. By fostering a culture where women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued, we can drive meaningful and lasting change.
Ryta Zasiekina, founder of CONCRYT
In 1909, New York witnessed the birth of the first-ever Women’s Day. Over a century later, and we’ve made huge strides in addressing the challenges that women face worldwide. But progress remains far too slow. Putting this into perspective, the World Economic Forum predicts that, at our current pace, gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158 – that’s five generations from now. And this assumes that we don’t lose ground, even as hard-won progress faces threats across the globe.
That’s why this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Accelerating Action’ is particularly urgent. Because change in gender equality doesn’t just happen by chance. It happens when we actively break down barriers, champion women in leadership, and ensure equal access to opportunities at every level. In payments and fintech – industries built on disruption – we must lead by example, creating workplaces where gender is never a barrier to success.
At PayFuture, diversity isn’t just something we talk about, it’s how we operate. Our 100-strong team comprises nearly 50% women, speaking over 20 languages and representing more than 20 nationalities. More than a statistic, diversity is our competitive edge, our lifeblood – and we’re growing fast as a result.
Roxanna Bashir, Chief People and Culture Officer at PayFuture
International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebrating women – it’s about building a fairer, stronger world that includes everyone. When women have equal opportunities, businesses perform better, economies grow, and innovation thrives. The day serves as a reminder that equality isn’t just a ‘women’s issue’ – research consistently shows that diverse organisations outperform their competitors. So, a workplace that values diverse perspectives fosters innovation, improves problem-solving, and boosts employee morale is just smart.
True inclusion means ensuring everyone has a voice and the opportunity to use it. When people from different backgrounds come together, we eliminate blind spots and drive smarter decision-making. How many times have we asked ourselves, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ More often than not, it’s because we’ve never experienced that perspective firsthand.
Even in challenging times, investing in inclusion must be a long-term business strategy, not a passing trend. The debate around DEI continues, but the data speaks for itself: inclusion isn’t just something we do on the side when we can afford it – it’s a core driver of success. After all, we all have friends, colleagues, daughters, sisters – people we care about – who deserve a fair shot at success.
Lynda Clarke, Chief Operating Officer at Tribe Payments
Progress isn’t passive—it’s a choice we make every day. If we want gender equality, we must accelerate action by challenging bias, championing inclusion, and pushing for systemic change. The cost of waiting is lost potential, lost voices, and lost opportunities. Urgency isn’t about rushing—it’s about refusing to let another generation inherit the same battles. Change happens when we stop accepting ‘later’ and demand ‘now’.
Dani Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer at Loqbox
International Women’s Day is our yearly reminder to reflect on the progress that we, as women, have made in the journey toward gender parity – and to ask ourselves, what’s changed?
Over the past two decades, we’ve witnessed a dramatic shift in gender stereotypes, driven by evolving family dynamics, societal norms, and economic pressures. Twenty years ago, it was common to see two-parent families where fathers worked while mothers stayed home with the children. Today, families come in many forms – single-parent households, same-sex parents, and blended families – and the traditional roles have been redefined. In many cases, both parents now share caregiving and financial responsibilities, creating an environment where women can actively pursue their career aspirations.
The workplace has also evolved. Advances in technology and the changes brought by COVID-19 have transformed the traditional 9-to-5 model, allowing greater flexibility. This progress enables women to find a work-life balance that works for them, aim higher in their careers, and take up leadership roles without compromising their personal lives.
That said, we’re not there yet. There’s still much to be done to achieve true equality. We must continue to champion one another, challenge outdated norms, and inspire younger generations. My daughter, for instance, is currently studying at university and pursuing a career in STEM. I encourage her every step of the way, knowing that the progress we’ve made so far has opened doors that were once closed to women. With continued effort and support, I’m confident that the opportunities available to her will only grow.
Teresa Cameron, Finance Director at Clear Junction
Did you know that only 3% of all equity capital raised goes to women-led businesses, and 18% to diverse teams? Women hold more than 50% of the UK’s wealth, yet only 14% of angel investors in the UK are women. Angel investors invest in unlisted stocks in early-stage companies, which shape the backbone of the economy.
Many women are unaware of the options available to them, and at Mint Ventures, we’re on an educational mission to #AccelerateAction, encouraging more women to learn how to become angels and invest in early-stage start-up companies with diverse leadership teams. This will create new sources of capital and enable women to have a seat at the table to make decisions on the future shape of the economy.
Education and perception lie at the heart of this. By equipping women with the knowledge and tools needed to make effective investment decisions and use their expertise to support early-stage companies, we can break the misconception that you need to be wealthy to become an investor. By working together to share this information, we can help achieve a more inclusive and diverse investment ecosystem.
Gillian Fleming, founder and CEO of women angel investment group, Mint Ventures
Accelerating gender parity requires bold action and systemic change. From my own experience, returning to work after an extended maternity leave felt like starting from scratch, with assumptions about my capabilities creating an invisible barrier to my progress and shadowing my work. Entering the payments industry with minimal knowledge was equally challenging, but I was fortunate enough to have male mentors who not only guided me but also championed my potential. Their allyship reinforced the important role that advocacy and support play in driving equality.
Yet, allyship alone isn’t enough. True progress demands concrete action – equal pay, flexible policies, and leadership pipelines tailored to empower women at every stage of their careers. Motherhood, and other key life stages, should never be seen as obstacles but as opportunities to rethink and redesign workplaces into truly inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
Nina Papazyan, Head of Product & Banking Integration at Clear Junction
Real change doesn’t happen by waiting—it happens through daily action. For 30 years, I’ve challenged expectations, broken barriers, and proven that leadership is about talent, resilience, and vision—not gender. As a businesswoman and mother, I want to clear a path for the next generation. I set the example and challenge bias head on, that is why I am passionate about sharing my story, through Liz Taylor Consultancy, my book Taylor Made, and my role as Entrepreneur in Residence at UCLAN. I demand equal opportunity, I lift other women up, actively mentor and sponsor other women, and I drive conversations that lead to action. #AccelerateAction isn’t just about fairness—it builds better businesses. Don’t wait for change. Create it. #WomenInLeadership
Liz Taylor CEO of Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC)
Education. This is the single most important thing we can do to advance women’s equality in the workplace. Ensure women are actively encouraged by their employer to train in areas that would advance their position or for a role they aspire to have. The more female role models we have in senior positions, cements the pathway for others to follow.
Emma-Louise Bennett, Active Transition Support Lead at Viessmann Climate Solutions UK
Accelerating action means creating opportunities for women to lead and succeed. At Charles Clinkard, we’re proud to honour the legacy of Eveline Clinkard, who founded our business, by continuing to support women through fair policies, inclusive practices, and a commitment to equality.
Rachel Clinkard, eCommerce Director at Charles Clinkard
At the current rate, it will take “140 years to achieve equal representation in leadership in the workplace”, according to UN Women. We can’t afford to wait 140 years to resolve the startling lack of women and minority representation in senior leadership, board and thought-leader roles.
Women are natural intuitive leaders: mentors, innovators, and strategists. The dominant corporate culture of rigid processes and data-driven approaches is often too limiting.
Women have the vision and the skills to shatter glass ceilings. There is no reason we can’t lead boardrooms, companies, and entire industries. If we want to #AccelerateAction toward gender equality, we need to shift how we see ourselves and demand the roles we were born to take.
Helen Nibs, Helen Nibs Consultant
As Managing Director of Jermyn Street Design (JSD) – a leading uniform design and manufacturing business – I feel incredibly privileged to be invited to participate in this year’s International Women’s Day feature, spotlighting women and experts who are determined to #AccelerateAction towards greater equality. Over the course of my career, I’ve witnessed the powerful impact that mentorship, advocacy, and peer support can have on a woman’s ability to excel in leadership roles. By sharing our collective stories, we not only celebrate progress but also demonstrate the tangible strategies that can propel future generations of women forward.
In my role, I’m personally committed to driving change through inclusive hiring practices, mentoring initiatives, and a supportive workplace culture that uplifts women at every level. This means constantly challenging biases, promoting diversity in decision-making, and creating clear pathways for professional growth. My hope is that through open dialogue and collaboration, we will inspire more businesses to embrace gender balance, ensuring that the momentum we build on International Women’s Day 2025 resonates well beyond a single date on the calendar.
Ann Dowdeswell, MD at Jermyn Street Design
At YEO Messaging, we’re all about creating safe spaces and communities where conversations flow confidently and freely, safe in the knowledge that topics are safeguarded, ringfenced and people are who they say they are. As #IWD approaches, as a British start-up based on tech innovation and with a female co-founder at the helm, at YEO Messaging we’re proud to champion the power of women to connect securely, share confidently, and lead attitude change in the UK. 2023’s Online Safety Act is beginning to impact, delivering significant measures to enhance the protection of women and girls in digital spaces, so let’s continue to accelerate progress, ensuring that every woman, in every space has the opportunity to communicate, thrive, innovate, and inspire.
Sarah Bone, Co-Founder & CMO, YEO Messaging
While across the globe and diverse cultures, we continue to witness the rights of women coming under attack, it’s more important than ever to highlight the achievements and potential of women to drive change for the benefit of all; and it’s incumbent on business leaders to use their voices and actions to lead the charge in ensuring that equality for all delivers equity in opportunities and outcomes, whether professionally, societally, or economically.
By accelerating action towards the equality of women’s access to the workplace and the boardroom, we also create space for everyone to realise their own ambitions and purpose in the home, in the family, and in society. It’s not a zero-sum game – everybody benefits from having a greater representation of women at work and, crucially, supporting freedom of choice for them and their families. The potential positive impacts on future generations cannot be understated.
For business leaders, this means breaking down barriers to access to roles, recognising the diverse physiological, psychological and physical needs of women as part of an inclusive working environment and professional pathway, and ensuring that everyone – regardless of gender or sex – is treated fairly with all of those diverse needs considered.
Chrissi Jackson, Chief Product Officer at Totalmobile
In light of several high-profile companies recently announcing their intentions to step back from their DEI initiatives, it is more crucial than ever to leverage International Women’s Day (IWD) as a platform to continue the conversation about equality and progress. While the number of women in senior roles has increased in recent years, studies indicate we are still far from achieving the goal of 40% or more women in leadership positions.
This issue transcends politics and is not about compromising on hiring the right person for the job. It is about persistently highlighting the challenges women face in balancing various aspects of their lives, recognising genuine allyship, providing education, and identifying opportunities for change. By maintaining this dialogue, we create opportunities for reflection and, ultimately, action. Together, we can accelerate action.
Gill Mahon, Chief People and Places Officer at Totalmobile
Gender equality shouldn’t be something we leave for future generations—it’s something we need to tackle now. As a business owner, I see every day how breaking down barriers and creating opportunities can unleash incredible potential.
This International Women’s Day, the theme #AccelerateAction is a call for all of us to step up and make change happen faster. Whether it’s mentoring women, championing flexible working, or calling out bias when we see it, we all have a role to play. Together, we can create more space for women to succeed and build a fairer, more equal future.
Caroline Gowing, co-founder of Pink Spaghetti
As a Co-Founder and Director of 10Eighty, a strengths-based HR consultancy, I’m passionate about creating supportive environments where women can thrive. For International Women’s Day 2025, our commitment to #AccelerateAction is centred around coaching and mentorship.
We provide career coaching to help women navigate their professional journeys, overcome barriers, and unlock their full potential. Our executive coaching focuses on empowering female leaders, giving them the tools and confidence to excel in senior roles.
Additionally, we offer maternity coaching to support women during significant life transitions, ensuring they feel valued and equipped to balance their careers with personal milestones.
By investing in these coaching services, we’re fostering a culture where women are celebrated, supported, and set up for long-term success.
Liz Sebag-Montefiore Co-Founder and Director of 10Eighty
All women are equal, and all women should be treated equally to men, no matter what.
However, despite women making up 51% of the UK population, they only make up 35% of MPs, 34% of judges and 39% of board directors (womensequality.org.uk). In the UK, we must break down barriers to opportunity and ensure every woman – regardless of race, class, or identity – has the same opportunity to thrive, contribute, and lead.
Multiple approaches and points of view should be welcomed and celebrated, as should different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds. Equality and diversity are cornerstones of a just and inclusive society, and by welcoming and celebrating diversity, this will create a path to true gender equality throughout society.
Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI)
Top photo by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash
