How does the 'Accelerate Action' campaign theme provide a timely focus for IWD 2025?

"Accelerate Action" is a compelling theme for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 because it emphasizes the urgency of making faster, more effective strides toward gender equality.

Here's why it resonates so well.

1. Progress is too slow

Despite decades of effort, gender inequality remains deeply entrenched in many societies. In areas like economic participation, political representation, and combating gender-based violence, progress has been slow. To "Accelerate Action" means to move beyond ineffective practice and implement meaningful changes for bold, decisive action that positively impacts gender equality.

2. Addressing global setbacks

In recent years, events like the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected women, particularly in terms of job losses, increased unpaid caregiving burdens, and heightened domestic violence. "Accelerate Action" signals that urgent and coordinated measures are necessary to recover lost ground and ensure women are not left behind in the post-pandemic recovery.

3. Inspiring momentum for change

The campaign focus encourages activism and engagement at all levels—political, corporate, and grassroots—motivating individuals, governments, and organizations to take concrete steps toward gender equality. It empowers those who are already working toward gender justice and calls on those who have been passive to join the movement.

4. Tackling structural inequalities

"Accelerate Action" pushes for the dismantling of systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality, such as unequal pay, limited access to education, and under-representation in leadership. It encourages reforms in institutions and policies, creating a sense of urgency around addressing deep-rooted biases and outdated systems.

5. Focus on impactful solutions

With the rise of global movements like #MeToo and women’s advocacy around climate action, the world is more aware of gender injustices. The theme calls for moving from awareness to action, focusing on measurable outcomes and long-term solutions rather than short-term, superficial changes.

6. Inclusivity and intersectionality

Accelerating action means recognizing that gender inequality affects different women in different ways—whether due to race, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status or further aspects. The campaign focus emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach, ensuring that all women, particularly those most marginalized, benefit from the progress made.

7. A timely call for accountability

The campaign focus serves as a powerful reminder that time is running out to meet global gender priorities. "Accelerate Action" holds institutions accountable, urging them to deliver on their commitments with greater speed and efficiency.

In essence, "Accelerate Action" is a call for urgency, inclusion, and transformative change. It signals that equality cannot wait, and that all sectors of society must work together to quicken the pace of progress for women’s rights and empowerment.