International Women’s Day #AccelerateAction
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is "Accelerate Action" – a powerful rallying cry to ignite swift and decisive progress toward achieving true gender equality. This year, we stand united in demanding urgent change, recognising that the time to act is now.
In support of this vital call to action, we have reached out to our colleagues, merchants, partners, and industry leaders to share their insights and amplify their voices.
- "The fintech industry thrives on innovation, but gender equality progress is slow. Disabled women face additional barriers, often overlooked in leadership, recruitment and career progression. To truly accelerate action we must create inclusive, accessible workplaces, challenge outdated norms, and embed inclusive policies into business strategy. Let’s not wait five generations to make it happen. The time for action is now."
- "To create a more equal and inclusive environment, we need to change both how things are set up and how people think. Equal pay, flexible hours, and mentorships will help employees realise that success is achievable for anyone, regardless of gender. The more we take steps like these, the faster we can create real gender equality."
- "Living in Latvia and working in various companies, I have never felt limited in my opportunities as a woman. The key is that there should be no limitations in our minds! And we can improve a lot by interacting openly with each other. Inclusivity comes from inspiring both women and men’s achievements. Harmony is the foundation of inclusivity!"
- "Allyship is key to breaking biases, barriers and driving lasting change."
- "This year's International Women's Day theme holds immense significance to me, as I strive to advocate for equal opportunities and challenge societal norms both professionally and in my personal life. At Ecommpay, our vision of fostering inclusivity aligns perfectly with this message, as we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable environment where everyone is empowered to thrive, regardless of gender."
- "What does inclusion mean to me? It means everything to me because everyone deserves a chance in life. When we include women in leadership, we get diversity of thought. And that creates bigger opportunities for everybody. For me firsthand, that’s what’s truly important."
- "Achieving gender equality means dismantling systemic barriers that have historically held women back. It means creating a level playing field where merit and talent, not gender, determine career progression. As a female leader in fintech, I've seen firsthand how diversity of thought fuels innovation and drives success."
- "Inspired by women’s resilience daily, please pledge action, not just words. Let’s break stigmas, accelerate impactful inclusion, and openly discuss change. Their strength fuels my commitment to a more equitable world. This International Women’s Day, let’s drive real change."
- "This year's International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action, resonates with me since there is so much opportunity for growth. Within Fortune 500 Europe, only 6.2% of CEOs are women, down from 7% a year earlier. Young women should be encouraged to pursue technical careers by supporting mentorship programs, work experience and providing an environment focused on coaching and development."
- "As a mother of two daughters, gender equality is personal. I want them to feel valued, respected and to thrive without barriers. Achieving real equality means dismantling systemic obstacles in education, careers, leadership, and pay. We must challenge bias, uplift women, and push for inclusive policies. This International Women’s Day, let’s turn words into action and create a future without limits."
- "The fact that research suggests that full gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158 is ludicrous. So many companies say they are going to take action but it’s often empty words. I’m proud to be part of an initiative that is focussing on actioning change."
- "This year for IWD, we can accelerate action by involving more people in the inclusion journey. Despite setbacks, those driving progress will…
- Accelerate acceptance.
- Accelerate leadership.
- Accelerate innovation.
- Accelerate debate.
- Accelerate discussions.
- Accelerate fair promotion.
- Accelerate fair pay. Defining our role and influence makes acceleration even more powerful."
- "Achieving gender equality goes beyond policies, starting with bias-free hiring, blind resume screening, and structured interviews. In the workplace, transparency in promotions, pay, and leadership roles ensures fairness, while inclusive leadership training equips managers to make unbiased decisions. True equality isn’t a one-time effort. By addressing bias in workplaces and society, we can accelerate the change that’s long overdue."
- "For a long time, companies have hired and promoted individuals that "look like them" or "think like them", leading once-thriving companies to stagnate in growth and innovation. Companies with diverse teams and varying opinions are the ones driving true disruption and innovation. If your company hasn't recognised the female superstars within your team, you are missing a trick! "
- "This International Women’s Day, I want to celebrate the incredible women driving innovation in fintech and payments. At Ecommpay, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where every woman has the support and resources to build a successful career. Here’s to breaking barriers, championing growth, and empowering the next generation of female leaders."
- "Creating an inclusive workplace drives innovation and success. Make real impact with these key steps:
- Awareness and dialogue. Conversations and training help identify and challenge hidden biases.
- Mentorship and genuine support. Strong mentors boost confidence and open doors for women.
- Fair opportunities with clear criteria. Transparent hiring ensures diverse talent gets the chances it deserves. When inclusion becomes a daily practice, it drives real change and empowers women in the workplace."
- "Having worked in male-dominated industries, I prioritise diverse teams. From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses’ growth rate outpaced the rate of men’s by 94.3% for number of firms, 252.8% for employment, and 82.0% for revenue. This inspired me to consistently build and lead teams that include at least 50% of women, as well as across ethnicity and sexual orientation."
- "With 15+ years of scale-up experience, I’m dedicated to empowering women founders and leaders to succeed globally. As a brand, marketing, and sales strategist, I help businesses innovate and scale. Having built impactful brands at Our Place, TOMS, and beyond, I champion growth and innovation, celebrating the women who drive businesses forward this International Women’s Day."
We want to thank all those who contributed. The World Economic Forum has warned that, at the current pace, full gender parity may not be realised until 2158 – almost five generations away. But we refuse to wait that long. As a business that champions and celebrates diversity, we are determined to make a difference today.
Together, let us be the change we seek, empowering women and creating a brighter, more equal future.