Every year on 8 March, we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to recognising the achievements, struggles, and resilience of women across the globe. In 2025, the theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This theme is not just a call to celebrate; it is a call to action—to ensure that every woman and girl, regardless of her circumstances, has the power, opportunities, and support she needs to thrive.
But what does this mean for families, mothers, and daughters? How can we, as parents and caregivers, actively create a world where our children grow up knowing their worth and feeling empowered to reach their full potential?
The Role of Families in Empowering Women and Girls
From the moment a child is born, the environment they grow up in shapes their confidence, resilience, and sense of self-worth. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we are the first people who teach our daughters what they are capable of and show our sons how to stand as allies for gender equality.
1. The Power of Representation: Seeing is Believing
One of the most powerful ways we can empower young girls is by showing them examples of strong, courageous, and successful women. Whether it’s through books, films, or real-life role models, representation shapes aspirations.
As a mother of a daughter, I want Amelia to grow up knowing that she can do anything she sets her mind to. I want her to see that women are leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and activists. I also want her to know that strength doesn’t always mean being loud or powerful—it can mean being kind, thoughtful, and resilient in the face of challenges.
2. Advocating for Equal Opportunities from the Start
Many of us grew up in a time when girls were subtly (or not so subtly) told that certain things weren’t for them. Maybe it was STEM subjects, leadership roles, or even sports that were seen as ‘for boys’. Thankfully, we are making progress, but there is still work to be done.
For families raising girls, this means:
✅ Encouraging interests and passions without gender bias.
✅ Teaching girls that their voices matter in discussions and decision-making.
✅ Supporting them in pursuing education and careers that excite them, even if they are male-dominated fields.
For families raising boys, it means:
✅ Teaching respect and equality in relationships from an early age.
✅ Encouraging empathy and emotional expression, breaking the stereotype that boys must always be ‘tough’.
✅ Helping them become allies for gender equality in their schools and communities.
3. Supporting Mothers: The Backbone of Families and Society
International Women’s Day is also about recognising the work of mothers, both visible and invisible. Too often, the unpaid labour of parenting is undervalued. Many mothers juggle work, childcare, housework, and emotional labour—all while facing inequality in the workplace, the motherhood penalty, and lack of support systems.
For me, becoming a mother changed my entire perspective on what true strength looks like. The experience of having a premature baby, navigating the NICU, dealing with the emotional toll of parenting, and balancing life’s demands showed me how much mothers carry.
This is why policies like:
• Extended maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Affordable childcare
• Better mental health support for parents
…are not just ‘nice-to-have’—they are essential to true gender equality. When we support mothers, we support families, communities, and future generations.
4. Inclusion Matters: No Woman Left Behind
This year’s theme—“For ALL Women and Girls”—reminds us that true empowerment means inclusion. It is not just about privileged women breaking glass ceilings; it is about making sure all women—including those from marginalised communities, women with disabilities, neurodivergent women, and those from different socio-economic backgrounds—have equal access to opportunities and rights.
As someone who is autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic, I know how important it is for young girls to grow up knowing that neurodiversity is not a weakness—it is a different way of thinking that can be incredibly powerful. The more we embrace and celebrate differences, the stronger we become as a society.
5. The Importance of Standing for ALL Women
While we are fortunate in the UK to be able to celebrate diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI), I find it deeply disturbing that, in other parts of the world, particularly in the US, DEI initiatives are being rolled back. International Women’s Day is for ALL women—trans women are women, and they deserve to be included in conversations about rights and empowerment.
We cannot claim to be fighting for gender equality if we exclude, silence, or erase certain women. Whether it is trans women, disabled women, neurodivergent women, women of colour, or women from different socio-economic backgrounds, true progress means standing together.
If we truly want to create a future where no one is left behind, we must actively push back against those who try to limit the definition of womanhood. Inclusion strengthens us. Diversity strengthens us. A feminist future must be a future for all women, without exception.
6. Protecting Our Rights – We Cannot Go Back
Understanding that women are important is essential, and so is protecting our rights. Too often, we see women’s rights being challenged, undermined, or stripped away, and we must stand firm.
We do not want to return to a time when women were owned by their fathers and husbands, unable to work, vote, make decisions about their own bodies, or have financial independence. The fight for equality is not just about progress—it is about making sure we never go back to a time when women were seen as less than men.
Our daughters deserve to grow up in a world where they can:
• Make their own choices about their education, career, and family.
• Be paid fairly for the work they do.
• Live free from fear of harassment, violence, or discrimination.
• Have full autonomy over their own bodies and futures.
How Can We Take Action?
Here are some ways we can all contribute to making International Women’s Day 2025 truly meaningful:
⭐ Have conversations about gender equality with your children—both girls and boys.
⭐ Support women-owned businesses and initiatives that uplift mothers and caregivers.
⭐ Advocate for policies that help families thrive, including better parental leave and childcare.
⭐ Celebrate the achievements of women in your community, workplace, and family.
⭐ Stand up for inclusion—whether it’s in schools, workplaces, or public discussions.
⭐ Teach young girls that they are enough—exactly as they are.
Final Thoughts: The Future is Ours to Shape
International Women’s Day is not just about one day of celebration. It is about committing to ongoing change that will benefit future generations. When we empower women and girls, we empower families, communities, and the world.
Let’s work towards a future where our daughters know their worth, where mothers are supported, and where no one is left behind.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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