Tamara Rebeira calls for driving gender equality forward on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is centred on the theme Accelerate Action, a bold call to fast track progress toward gender equality. While milestones have been achieved, the pace of change remains slow and many barriers continue to hold women back. This year, Accelerate Action demands more than just conversations – it urges individuals, organisations and governments to take concrete, transformative steps toward a more equitable world.

The urgency of action has never been clearer – despite decades of advocacy and policy reforms, gender inequality remains a critical global issue. Women continue to face wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership, gender based violence, and limited access to education and healthcare.

According to the United Nations, at the current rate of progress, it could take over 130 years to close the global gender gap. Accelerate Action is a rallying cry to quicken the pace of change, ensuring gender equality is not a distant dream but an immediate priority.

One of the most pressing areas of focus is economic empowerment. Women’s participation in the workforce is essential for sustainable development, yet disparities in pay, job opportunities and financial inclusion persist.

Another crucial aspect is leadership and representation. While women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, they are still underrepresented in politics, corporate boardrooms and decision-making positions. Breaking these barriers requires deliberate efforts including a commitment to seeing more women in positions of power.

Education and skills development remain fundamental to gender equality. Yet in many parts of the world, girls are still denied access to quality education. Investing in STEM education, vocational training, and digital literacy for women and girls can close the skills gap and unlock countless opportunities. A future driven by innovation and progress must include women at its core.

Beyond education and leadership, women’s health and wellbeing demand urgent attention. Maternal health, reproductive rights and mental wellness must be prioritised, with accessible healthcare and gender sensitive policies shaping a healthier future for all.

Furthermore, we cannot ignore the crisis of gender based violence, which affects one in three women globally. The fight against this pervasive issue requires stricter laws, better enforcement, greater societal awareness and robust support systems for survivors.

In line with this year’s IWD theme, LMD conducted a women’s day panel discussion with four leading businesswomen – former Director of Brandix Natasha Boralessa, Director and CEO of Solar Booze, Senior Vice President of Human Resource of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Ishara Naufal, and Founder and Owner of Kairos Events Janice Hakel-Ranasinghe at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams Sri Lanka.

Touching on the importance of the IWD theme for 2025 Boralessa says: “Gender equity is often misunderstood with some believing it means giving women preferential treatment or advancing them at the expense of men. In reality, it is about closing the gap between genders to ensure equal opportunities for all.”

She adds: “If we examine key areas such as education, healthcare, employment, financial resources and participation in the private and public sectors, women still don’t have the same opportunities as men. The original vision was to achieve gender parity by 2030, yet now projections indicate that it may take five generations to reach this goal. This is why the Accelerate Action theme is so crucial – it’s a call for urgent and immediate efforts to bridge this gap without further delay.”

Hakel-Ranasinghe meanwhile adds that gender equality must be approached from every angle in society, starting with policy. She notes that governments and corporations must integrate policies into their planning strategies that actively promote equality and inclusion. These policies should not only encourage but also insist on creating opportunities for women, ensuring they are integral to communities, industries and decision-making processes.

However, most importantly she says: “Beyond policy, societal change is equally crucial. From early childhood education to higher learning institutions, we need to embed gender equality into curriculums, social structures and even religious institutions. It should become an intrinsic part of everyday life. Additionally, fostering gender equality isn’t just about empowering women – it’s also about strengthening men. We need to encourage men to take on roles traditionally seen as women’s work, such as cooking and childcare.”

She stresses that ultimately achieving gender equality requires a fundamental understanding of its true meaning and a collective effort to put it into action. And only by fostering this awareness and balance can we truly accelerate progress and build a more equitable society.

In addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional spheres, Naufal emphasises the need for targeted action and meaningful change.

She says: “Women’s labour force participation in Sri Lanka stands at approximately 33 percent, which is a serious concern. Society often reinforces the belief that a woman’s primary role is at home – this perspective must change. We need to recognise that both men and women should share household responsibilities, including raising children and managing family life. From an early age, girls are often told they must learn to cook and care for a family, reinforcing traditional gender roles. We must move beyond these outdated narratives and truly walk the talk.”

“A main challenge is changing these ingrained attitudes and education is a powerful tool for driving that change. Girls must be encouraged to pursue fields such as STEM, as these areas provide opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles. Legislative measures can also make a difference. Implementing policies that mandate a minimum percentage of women in various industries could create more equitable workplaces,” Naufal reiterates.

She rues that only a small number of women rise to leadership positions and breaking these barriers requires a fundamental shift in mindset. By fostering an environment that supports and motivates women to pursue their ambitions, we can create lasting change and ensure greater gender equality in both professional and personal spheres.

Nadika Herath meanwhile believes that as females, when assigned a task, whether at a young age or later in life, it’s crucial to do it well. She says: “This is where it all begins. Confidence is essential, and so is encouraging those around you to strive for the same level of excellence. And let’s not forget – females are blessed with the ability to multitask, but managing everything is key. There’s so much talent, yet sometimes societal expectations or personal barriers can hinder progress. If you approach challenges with the right mindset, you can succeed. Do your work with dedication and precision, and no one will be able to question your capabilities.”

Everyone has a role to play in accelerating action. Advocating for policy changes, supporting women owned businesses, mentoring and uplifting women in various fields, challenging gender norms, and engaging in local initiatives are just some of the ways individuals and organizations can contribute to this movement.

Accelerate Action is not just a theme – it is a movement, a mindset and a promise to create lasting change. This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond words and into action. The time to push forward is now, and together, we can build a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.

Natasha Boralessa

“Own your power as a woman, take full responsibility for your career and future – be the CEO of your own life. No one else will do it for you. Next, be proactive, don’t wait for change to come to you – be the change. Speak and stand up for yourself and others. Change happens when you take action. Focus on building your tribe – you can’t do it alone. Create a network and support system. Equally important is embracing male allies and involving them in this journey. We’re not asking to be treated differently, just equally, and they need to understand that. Gender equity is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It’s our moral duty to ensure that every woman has the right to it.”

Nadika Herath

“Give your best in everything and do it to the fullest. Have confidence in yourself and don’t let anyone bring you down. Confidence is the key to everything – whether in education or how you carry yourself. People talk about a glass ceiling but I believe you are your own leader. And don’t forget to support and help other women along the way.”

Janice Hakel-Ranasinghe

“Dream, dream and dream. Women often get caught up in everyday chores and forget to dream big. For every woman aiming to break any ceiling – stay focused and keep pushing forward. Your mind is your only limitation and your support system is your greatest strength.”

Ishara Naufal

“Empower yourself and speak out. If you feel harassed or believe you’re not being given the right opportunities, don’t hesitate to speak up and make your voice heard. If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will. Empower yourself, stand up for what you believe in, and the rest will fall into place.”