What Does the Theme for International Women’s Day 2025 Mean?

8th March 2025
Written by LSBF Staff
Online Learning

International Women's Day 2025 is set to be a very special occasion. The theme this year is ‘Accelerate Action’, which calls for a new focus on driving gender equality and empowering women worldwide.

This year's focus is not just on acknowledging the progress made toward gender equality but also on recognising the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve true equality.

This blog post will explore the significance of this theme and how individuals and organisations can contribute to this important cause.

What is International Women's Day?

International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, is a global day honouring women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

It serves as a platform to raise awareness about women's rights and gender equality while also advocating for accelerated gender equality. International Women’s Day belongs to all groups and is not specific to any country, organisation or group.

How did International Women's Day begin?

The roots of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 1900s, a period of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, attention to the gender pay gap and voting rights.

The following year, the first National Women's Day was observed in the United States.

The idea for an International Women's Day came from Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and women's rights activist. In 1910, at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, she proposed that every year, every country should have a celebration on the same day to press for women's demands.

The conference unanimously approved this suggestion, and International Women's Day was born.

International Women's Day Offer

International Women’s Day 2025 campaign theme: 'Accelerate Action'

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Accelerate Action’, a worldwide call to acknowledge the strategies, resources, and activities that positively impact women's advancement and tosupport and elevate their implementation. This theme emphasises the need for society to take bold, measurable steps toward ensuring equality for women and girls in every sphere of life.

Why 'Accelerate Action' Matters

Despite significant progress in recent decades, substantial barriers to gender equality remain. The Accelerate Action theme recognises that while positive progress can be made for women everywhere, it requires the right action and support.

By focusing on accelerating action, International Women’s Day 2025 aims to push for tangible results in closing gender gaps across various sectors, including the workplace, education and political representation.

Best Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025

Looking for ways to mark this special day? Here are some ways you or your business can get involved in the celebration this year.

Host women leadership panels: Organise discussions featuring successful women from diverse fields to share their experiences and insights.
Encourage mentorship and sponsorship: Establish programmes that pair experienced professionals with emerging female talent to foster growth and development.
Set up leadership training programmes for women: Invest in skill-building initiatives tailored to address the unique challenges women face in leadership roles.
Create flexible work environments: Implement policies that support work-life balance, benefiting all employees but particularly impacting women who often bear a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities.
Foster allyship across all levels: Educate employees about the importance of being active allies in promoting gender equality in the workplace.
Recognise and celebrate women regularly: Implement ongoing programmes to acknowledge and reward women's contributions throughout the year, not just on International Women’s Day.
Partner with women-focused organisations: Collaborate with local or global organisations dedicated to women's empowerment to extend your impact.
Update your DEI initiatives regularly: Continuously assess and improve your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

What's happening on International Women’s Day 2025 in London?

London is set to host a variety of events to mark the celebration this year, catering to different interests and causes. Some events include:

An outdoor exhibition at Granary Square in King's Cross, profiling "extraordinary ordinary" women.
A special Sip & Paint evening at All Bar One Victoria, supporting the charity Bloody Good Period.
An International Women's Day Dinner & Panel Discussion at Wild by Tart, featuring renowned chefs and supporting the Smart Works charity.
The London Women's Symposium at Imperial College Business School, designed to connect and inspire professionals from across the EU.

Ways Organisations Can Celebrate International Women's Day 2025

Organisations can mark IWD 2025 in various ways, including:

Hosting events or running campaigns focused on women's achievements and gender equality
Launching initiatives that support women's advancement in the workplace
Donating to female-focused charities
Reporting on achievements related to gender equality within the organisation
Encouraging employees to participate in International Women’s Day activities and discussions

As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we are reminded of the power of collective action and the importance of sustained efforts toward achieving gender equality. By embracing the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, we can work together to create meaningful change, whether through hosting leadership panels, fostering mentorship programmes or simply celebrating women's achievements more regularly.

1. What is International Women's Day?

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements and calling for action to accelerate gender parity.

2. When was International Women's Day first celebrated?

The first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

3. Who decides the theme for International Women's Day?

The global theme for International Women's Day is determined by the United Nations. However, organisations and groups worldwide can choose to mark the day in ways that are most relevant and impactful for their specific contexts and audiences.