International Women’s Day: A call to action, not just another hashtag

This International Women’s Day, instead of simply celebrating success stories (though we’re proud to have countless incredible women within Moorepay), we’d like to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Although positive reflections are often necessary (necessary for supporting women and, to some extent, for self-care) they don’t often uncover the real challenges women are facing. And the challenges recently have been difficult, to say the least. After a year of witnessing the shocking systematic stripping back of women’s rights globally, including in the HR world a distressing rise in UK sexual harassment cases, it’s not the time for a feel-good post. If you’re here for a real conversation, not just a performative like-and-move-on moment, stick with us.

The reality for women: by the numbers 

UK

• Violent crimes against women have surged 37% in five years. 

• 1 in 12 women faces stalking, harassment, or violence in their daily lives. 

• The gender pay gap is widening, increasing from 2.8% to 4.4% in just a year. 

• ACAS reports sexual harassment-related inquiries have doubled in 2024 compared to 2023. 

US

• Maternal death rates are 62% higher in states with restricted abortion access. 

• Civil rights rollbacks threaten decades of progress in gender equality and diversity. 

Globally

• 51,000 women were killed by intimate partners last year. 

• Australia has declared its violence against women crisis a national emergency. 

• Iran sanctions child marriage and brutally represses women’s rights. 

• Afghanistan enforces extreme restrictions, making everyday life perilous for women. 

• According to UN Women, gender disparities are worsening. They believe it could take another 286 years to close the global gender gaps in legal protections for women and girls. 

A shocking call to action

The statistics are stark, and they demand action – not just awareness. 

If you take just one thing away from this post, let it be this; International Women’s Day extends beyond a single day of celebration; it’s a powerful catalyst for change. It highlights the daily threats faced by women, girls, and non-binary people, including catcalling, verbal abuse, physical violence, and sexual harassment, but also the rollback and stagnation and rights and protections which allow women to live freely and peacefully. This International Women’s Day, it’s more important than ever to advocate for a safer world for all. 

In the face of this, it may feel impossible to make a mark, but any amount of action is meaningful.  

Here are just a few ideas to get started:

• Join the UN Women Community

• Donate clothes, toiletries, and toys to your local Women’s Aid Service

• Sign up for charity volunteering: The Directory | Fundraising Regulator 

• Help out in your community or join a community group. 

• Research global women’s mentorship programmes and leadership funding initiatives and start the conversation with your workplace about supporting them. 

• Talk about these challenging topics – whether you use International Women’s Day as a springboard, or not. 

Within the workplace: 

• Offer flexible work arrangements, implement policies that support women through all life stages, and ensure workplace policies address women’s health needs. 

• Create a culture where women’s voices are valued, address biases and microaggressions, and advocate for women even in their absence. 

• Encourage women to pursue internal promotions, ensure transparent and fair pay, and make networking and career progression accessible to all. 

• Provide mentorship, leadership training, and rethink how performance and ambition are measured to create equal opportunities for career growth. 
• Regularly review hiring and promotion practices to eliminate bias and hold senior leaders accountable for diversity and inclusion goals.