Did you know that Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900s – a time when women were starting to campaign for equal rights. This year the IWD 2025 campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for gender equality and increase momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
Investing in the women in your workplace means creating an environment where they can thrive, lead, and succeed. There are many ways to do this from conducting pay audits, ensuring fair promotions and hiring processes to ensuring equal access to leadership roles and high-impact projects. We need to ensure that women are appropriately mentored, sponsored and provided with skills training, especially in areas such as negotiation, finance and technology.
We should enable women through flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave and provide support for childcare. We must foster a culture of respect and inclusion, no matter which industry. In foodservice, logistics, and technology, women have been shaping the industry for generations, yet they continue to face barriers to recognition and leadership. From trailblazing pioneers like Fannie Farmer and Elsie Widdowson to modern leaders transforming supply chains and food tech, women are proving that the food industry is no longer just about who’s in the kitchen. In our recent blog, The Women Who Keep the Food Industry Moving, we explored the incredible impact of women across the food sector, highlighting those leading the way in distribution, sustainability, and food technology.
By actively supporting the women in your workplace, you not only boost their success but also create a stronger, more innovative, and diverse company.
We must empower the next generation. Do it for your daughters.