The screen flickered, displaying lines of code that refused to cooperate. The only sound in the otherwise tomb-like silence of the study room, half-empty coffee cups, where dust motes danced in the lone beam of light, marking the endless hours of the night. Ding! A crisp, impersonal email, now delivered the all too common phrase, ‘we regret to inform you…’, a stark contrast to the hopeful pitch she’d poured her soul into.

She slammed the laptop shut, the abrupt sound echoing the frustration that pulsed through her veins. Shemasisi, a brilliant young software engineer, sighed. Burning the midnight oil, trying to debug a crucial algorithm for her 5-year startup. It wasn’t the technical challenge that weighed on her, though. It was the constant, subtle dismissal she faced in meetings, the assumption that her male colleagues were inherently more competent. She loved her work, but the invisible barriers were exhausting, like the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Through connecting to our global audience at Evening Walk, I’ve seen firsthand the power of storytelling to ignite change, sharing triumphs and challenges. This global perspective reinforces the urgency of this year’s theme. The World Economic Forum’s data paints a grim picture: five generations before true equality? That’s unacceptable.

This International Women’s Day, I think of Shemasisi and countless women like her facing systemic barriers in their various fields. Their stories are a stark reminder that we can’t afford to wait until 2158 for gender parity. We need to Accelerate Action.

AccelerateAction is a call to dismantle the barriers that hold women back, recognizing that gender equality is a necessity for a thriving world. We need to move beyond mere recognition of the problem and actively implement solutions.

One of the most powerful ways to do this is to Support the Supporters. Countless grassroots organizations, community-led initiatives, and global entities are at the forefront of this movement. Yet, they often lack the resources needed to expand their impact. This year, IWD 2025 encourages individuals, corporations, and institutions to contribute to women-focused organizations. Whether through donations, volunteering our time, or amplifying their work, every act of solidarity counts.  

At Evening Walk, we believe in the power of individual action. Each of us can Accelerate Action in our daily lives. We can challenge stereotypes, call out discrimination, and celebrate women’s achievements. We can share our knowledge and encourage others to do the same. This year, we pledge to amplify the voices of more women entrepreneurs through our platforms, providing them with the resources and services they deserve to gain visibility.

We must also focus on the strategies that work.

How Can We Accelerate Action?

One of the most effective ways to drive gender equality is to amplify what works faster and on a larger scale. We must:

🎙Forge Women’s Economic Empowerment by supporting women-led businesses through investment, mentorship, and fair pay.

🎙 Increase Representation in Leadership by advocating for policies that ensure equal opportunities for women in decision-making roles across industries.

🎙Enhance Access to Education by bridging the gap and providing girls and women with quality education and vocational training, particularly in STEAM fields.

🎙Promote Women’s Health and Well-being by addressing barriers to reproductive rights, maternal health, and mental wellness to enable women to reach their full potential.

🎙Support Women in Sport, Art, and Media by elevating female athletes, artists, and content creators, ensuring their work receives the recognition it deserves.

Fast forward to this moment, Shemasisi takes a deep breath as she stands at the centre of the bustling city radius, looking out at the sea of women, men, and allies’ faces, and she knows that today is just the beginning. It is International Women’s Day 2025, she feels a surge of hope for the first time. Just a few years ago, Shemasisi had struggled to secure funding for her tech startup despite her undeniable skills and vision. Some investors held unconscious biases, questioning her risk tolerance, leadership abilities, and technical expertise. Today, she is here not as a hopeful entrepreneur but as a leader, ready to share her story and inspire the next generation.

Empowered women contribute to stronger economies and more resilient communities.  

This International Women’s Day, let’s remember the millions of women like Shemasisi who deserve a better future. Let’s commit to Accelerating Action every day. Let’s make March 8th a turning point, a day when the world collectively decides that gender equality is an achievable reality, ensuring that no woman ever has to wait another five generations for equality but has an equal opportunity to thrive.

IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #EveningWalkWithEuniceAyuma continues…