At PepTalk, powerful voices drive real change. Looking back at IWD 2025 (International Women's Day, held on 8 March 2025), the world came together around the message "Invest in women: Accelerate progress", a UN Women campaign theme spotlighting the call to close the estimated $360 billion annual funding gap for gender equality initiatives by 2030. Gender equality and supporting women in all areas of life remain part of the recipe for achieving social justice and equity, driving inclusion, and building stronger economies and a healthier planet.
The message was carried on social media that year under the hashtag #InvestInWomen.
Invest in Women: International Women's Day 2025
Key Areas for Action
1. Gender Equality: A Human Rights Imperative Achieving gender equality is not just a moral issue, it's one of our greatest human rights challenges. PepTalk speaker Caroline Criado Perez OBE, the feminist campaigner, author and broadcaster known for exposing the data gap in a world built for men, has spent her career making exactly this case.
2. Ending Poverty The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts pushed 75 million more people into extreme poverty since 2020. Without urgent intervention, as many as 342 million women and girls could be living in poverty by 2030.
3. Gender-Responsive Financing Funding is critical to progress. Rising costs and conflicts have forced many countries to cut public spending in recent years, which hits women the hardest. Globally, gender-responsive budgeting is essential to ensure women's needs are addressed and their services funded.
4. A Shift Toward a Green Economy and Care Society Current economic systems often work against women, but a shift toward a green economy and care society offers an opportunity to amplify their voices. PepTalk speaker Rhea Mazumdar Singhal, founder of sustainable packaging business Ecoware, is a powerful example of this shift in action, building a business model that puts sustainability and women's empowerment side by side.
5. Supporting Feminist Change-Makers Feminist organisations are leading the charge for equality, but they receive just 0.13% of official development assistance. These groups need stronger financial backing to continue their vital work for real progress.
Why International Women's Day Matters
For us at PepTalk, International Women's Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It's a chance to inspire action, raise awareness, and mobilise resources for lasting change. It's an opportunity to shine a spotlight on critical issues while celebrating progress.
PepTalk's Commitment
As a keynote speaker agency, PepTalk is dedicated to amplifying women's voices and leading change in their fields. Whether they are experts on gender equality, social justice, sustainability, or economic reform, like Tamara Gillan, entrepreneur and women's empowerment advocate, we help bring these trailblazing female empowerment speakers to the stage to inspire and drive meaningful conversations.
International Women's Day is a chance to reflect on investing in women and accelerating progress toward a more equitable future for all.
Around International Women's Day 2025, with the message "Invest in Women", the conversation focused on women's leadership, empowerment, and success. Here are the hashtags used that year to champion gender equality and support women around the world.
Discover top International Women's Day speakers and their inspiring stories in our latest PepTalk insight. Celebrate female empowerment and diversity!
Don't miss out on the top leadership trends for 2025, along with the experts who are redefining leadership and equipping leaders with the tools to navigate future challenges.
💡 Would you like to mark International Women's Day with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we'll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it's always a good time to get a PepTalk!
At PepTalk, we harness the power of human intelligence to inspire and transform your people, insights, and events. Whether you're looking for expert speakers, tailored learning experiences, or unforgettable corporate events, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Found this useful?
Tell us about your event and we'll match you with the right person for your audience.
