International Women’s Day 2025: Our Commitment to Accelerate Action
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#AccelerateAction: Working together toward a gender-equal world
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a moment to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women, and to pause to imagine a gender-equal world. Celebrated on March 8, IWD dates back to the labor movements of the early 1900s. IWD was proposed as a strategy to promote women’s suffrage. Since its initial celebration in 1911, IWD has evolved into a global event, and each year’s theme focuses on contemporary issues facing women. This year’s theme is #AccelerateAction, a theme that feels quite urgent now.
Gender parity is over five generations away
Despite remarkable progress, women—particularly women of color—continue to face systemic barriers that limit their full participation in economic and social life. A 2024 study from the World Economic Forum reveals a stark reality: at the current rate of progress, true global gender parity is still over 130 years away. The overall gender gap index is 68.5% in 2024, with variation within the four subindexes that the framework tracks: economic opportunities (60.5%), education (94.9%), health (96.0%), and political leadership (22.5%). While the gender gap has been narrowing, the collective rate of progress has slowed down over the past handful of years. In some areas, like women hired into leadership, there is backsliding.
Achieving true gender parity requires a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach. Institutions, businesses, and individuals need to take intentional action to dismantle deeply entrenched systemic barriers, challenge unconscious biases, provide equitable access to education and economic opportunities, and create supportive ecosystems that allow women to lead, innovate, and succeed.
Recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal examines the impact that corporate diversity pledges and other related programs have generated, observing that these approaches haven’t had a significant impact on changing the demographics of corporate America. In their analysis of 13 million workers at S&P 500 companies, WSJ reports that in 2023, white women occupied 22% of the combined workforce and 24% of executives and senior managers; nonwhite women 24% of the workforce and a mere 9% of executives and senior managers. These figures are minimally different from 2020, and still representation of women is exceedingly low at S&P companies.
Substantial change can’t be achieved in such a short time, however, and we need to move from pledges to policies to move the needle in the long-term, policies like the ones laid out in this report from the International Labour Organization, the European Union, and UN Women. Such recommendations are not only good for women: they’re good for improving conditions for all employees. Other approaches supported by evidence include improving educational pathways for women (particularly through focused career preparation) and enhancing women’s networks (including using enhanced job search and online platforms).
Let’s take action
At Latin Biz Today we focus on providing recognition to Latina entrepreneurs, women who have taken challenges and transformed them into opportunities and have broken barriers with creativity, resilience, and unwavering determination. Latinas play critical roles in driving innovation, economic growth, and social change within our vibrant Hispanic community. Our commitment also goes beyond recognition—we are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Latina entrepreneurs who are reshaping industries, creating generational wealth, and inspiring future leaders. From small businesses to groundbreaking startups, Latinas continue to demonstrate extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, overcoming systemic obstacles with innovation and grace.
This year’s IWD theme of accelerating action speaks directly to our mission. We understand that supporting Latina entrepreneurs is about creating ecosystems of opportunity—providing resources, visibility, mentorship, and pathways to success that have historically been out of reach. We’re committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that Latinas have the tools, networks, and support to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Our pledge to #AccelerateAction:
- Highlight and celebrate Latina entrepreneurial success stories
- Provide platforms for networking and professional development
- Support access to capital and resources for Latina-led businesses
- Mentor the next generation of Hispanic women entrepreneurs
Together, we can accelerate progress, empower Latina entrepreneurs, and thus create a more inclusive, dynamic economic landscape for all.
What can Hispanic business leaders do?
As a Hispanic business leader, you too can get involved by celebrating the achievements of the women around you, to help raise their visibility. Also, seek out collaborations and partnerships with organizations whose mission supports the vision of equality. Get involved in fundraising efforts, too, by donating to a charity that is focused on women.
And last, but not least, adopt best practices for your own organization:
- Carry out regular pay audits with the aim of achieving equal pay for work of equal value.
- Review your hiring and promotion practices and policies.
- Prevent and eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace.
- Review your parental leave and childcare policies, and aim for a workplace culture that values work-life balance for both women and men.
Closing the gender gap is not just a matter of fairness but of fundamental human potential. When women are empowered, entire communities thrive: economies grow, innovation accelerates, and social structures become more equitable and dynamic. These changes help all of us.
Image Caption: Photograph of the 12-meter (40-foot) sculpture Julia, by the artist Jaume Plensa, on exhibit at the Plaza de Colón in Madrid
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