As we approach International Women’s Day 2025 (IWD) on March 8, we are reminded of the ongoing journey toward gender equality and the pivotal role women play in shaping our world. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action” serves as a clarion call to intensify our efforts in dismantling systemic barriers and biases that hinder women’s progress across all sectors of society. As a women founded and run financial services marketing agency, this got us thinking. Here’s our take on financial services and International Women’s Day and the pivotal role that the finance space can and should play in gender equality.
Understanding The Point Of International Women’s Day
Established over a century ago, International Women’s Day is a global observance of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also serves as a platform to advocate for gender parity and women’s rights worldwide. The day unites individuals, communities, and organisations to promote equality and address the challenges women face. Whilst IWD has been hijacked by many brands to promote “pink products”, the true mission of the day remains focused on key issues facing women.
International Women’s Day 2025: “Accelerate Action”
The “Accelerate Action” theme emphasises the urgency of implementing effective strategies to achieve gender equality. Despite notable progress, at the current rate, full gender parity may not be realised until 2158. This theme urges stakeholders to expedite initiatives that empower women and girls, ensuring that advancements are inclusive and impactful.
Key Financial Issues Facing Women Globally
Women worldwide encounter multifaceted challenges that impede their full participation in economic, social, and political spheres. These issues are often exacerbated for black and indigenous women due to intersecting forms of discrimination. We are looking at the financial issues, although of course there are many others including violence against women, legal and policy barriers and reproductive rights and health issues.
I hear people saying that women already have equality, so why are we still doing IWD. But globally that’s not the case at all. Murder is the third leading cause of death for native women. 1.4 million girls are banned from school in Afghanistan and that’s just a few examples. Globally we are still at least 134 years away from gender parity.
Charlotte Day, Director, Contentworks Agency
#1 Economic Inequality
The gender wage gap remains a significant concern. In the United States, for instance, Hispanic women lose over $1 million in earnings over a 40-year career, Native women lose $986,000, and Black women lose $964,000, compared to their white male counterparts. This disparity limits women’s financial independence and economic security.
According to data from Moody’s Analytics, the gender pay gap could be costing the economy as much as $7 trillion.
- Studies indicate that motherhood is often associated with slower career progression. Due to persistent stereotypes, such as assumptions about lower commitment, mothers are less likely to be considered for promotions or leadership roles, reinforcing long-term financial inequality.
- Over a typical 40-year career, the cumulative effect of the wage penalty can amount to a lifetime earnings loss ranging between $200,000 and $500,000 for mothers. This gap not only affects immediate income but also long-term benefits like retirement savings and pension contributions.
- Due to lower lifetime earnings, mothers tend to accumulate substantially lower retirement savings. Some studies indicate that mothers may end up with 20–25% less in retirement funds compared to childless women, affecting long-term financial security.
Talent has no gender, but opportunity too often does. The She Figures report is a wake-up call, women are driving progress in education, but still face too many barriers in research, innovation, and leadership. We need to change that—not just because it’s fair, but because Europe’s future depends on it. A truly competitive and innovative Europe is one where every mind, regardless of gender, gets the chance to thrive.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, the Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation said:
#2 Financial Literacy and Inclusion
Financial literacy is crucial for economic empowerment and close to our hearts at Contentworks Agency. Many women, particularly those in underserved communities, lack access to financial education and services. Bridging this gap is essential for promoting gender equality and enabling women to make informed financial decisions. Unscrupulous companies or individuals will often prey upon a lack of financial knowledge, leading to potentially tragic outcomes.
- According to UNESCO estimates, 122 million girls worldwide are currently out of school. This figure reflects the cumulative barriers; economic, social, and cultural, that prevent millions of girls from even starting or continuing their education.
- In low- and middle-income countries, only about 35% of women demonstrate basic financial literacy skills. Limited access to quality financial education in these regions is a key barrier to economic empowerment.
- With the rise of online banking and mobile financial services, digital inclusion is improving overall. However, only about 40% of women in emerging markets regularly use digital financial services compared to 60% of men. This gap not only reflects differences in financial literacy but also in digital skills and access.
- Among women entrepreneurs, surveys show that just around 50% have received any formal financial literacy training by 2025. This lack of training can hinder their ability to secure capital, manage cash flow, and scale their businesses effectively.
#3 Underrepresentation in Leadership
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions across various sectors. This lack of representation limits diverse perspectives in decision-making processes and perpetuates systemic inequalities.
The ‘broken rung’ remains a significant barrier to women’s advancement, especially for women of colour.
- Only about 29% of C-suite roles are occupied by women across major U.S. corporations, with women making up just 8–10% of CEO positions.
- In corporate boardrooms, women hold roughly 28% of seats in Fortune 500 and Russell 3000 companies. Women of colour represent only about 7% of these
- Despite the rapid growth of the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors, women hold fewer than 15% of leadership roles in crypto companies. Moreover, only about 10% of blockchain startups are founded by women, underscoring a significant gender gap in this emerging industry.
- Globally, women constitute roughly 28–30% of the STEM workforce. In highly technical fields such as computer science and engineering, their representation can drop to around 20%, even as more women earn STEM degrees.
These figures underscore the ongoing need for targeted initiatives. These could include mentorship programs, inclusive recruitment practices, and supportive policies, to bridge the gender gaps in these high-growth sectors.
Governments around the world should be leaders in pay equity and also in making sure our leaders represent their populations. Over half the voters in most countries are women, and yet we remain underrepresented. Even worse, research is showing that in these tight economic times, women are losing their public sector jobs at a fast rate than men. This is unacceptable.
Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, Futurist and Professional Non-Exec Director (Atkins Ranch, Wētā Workshop, Chair Alpine Energy Ltd).
The Role of Financial Equality and Literacy
As a female-founded agency we recognise the challenges women face, plus the transformative power of economic empowerment. Financial inclusion enables women to break free from traditional roles, leave abusive situations, pursue entrepreneurial aspirations, and achieve financial independence. It is estimated that if women and men participated equally as entrepreneurs, global GDP could rise by up to 6%, boosting the global economy by US$2.5-5 trillion annually.
How Can We Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 In A Meaningful Way?
We’re not saying you shouldn’t give women flowers on IWD. It’s a nice gesture that shows appreciation. What we are saying is that this day should be observed in more significant ways. Here are some ideas:
Host Inclusive Panel Discussions
Organise panels featuring diverse women leaders and underrepresented voices to share their stories, challenges, and successes. This can inspire your community and spark important conversations about equality and empowerment. And … pay women equally to participate in them.
Financial Literacy and Empowerment Workshops
Offer workshops or webinars focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career development for women. These sessions can empower women with practical skills to navigate personal finance, secure funding for ventures, and break through the glass ceiling. You can also create networking opportunities where experienced women can mentor emerging talent. This is especially needed in sectors like STEM, fintech, and cryptocurrencies.
Support Women-Owned Businesses
Whether it’s an online business or an independent store, support women owned businesses. Support can include purchasing from women owned businesses, writing a great review, or simply sharing a social media post or blog.
Donate To Women Focused Initiatives
Partner with local non-profits or shelters dedicated to supporting women and girls. Host a charity or volunteer day to give back and strengthen the support network for vulnerable populations. This adds weight to your IWD messaging and celebrations as a company.
Consider Your Own Policies
Is your own brand championing equal rights in the workplace? Are you offering the training, mentoring and support needed to achieve gender parity? Additionally, you might want to address the unique challenges faced by mothers, black and indigenous women.
Join UN Women’s global campaign #ForAllWomenAndGirls
- Demand leaders enforce gender equality laws.
- Support women’s rights organizations.
- Educate the next generation on gender equality.
- Amplify the voices of those most left behind.
- Speak out against gender stereotypes, bias, and discrimination.
- Advocate for women in leadership
Addressing these interconnected financial issues is needed to ensure that women can enjoy equal opportunities across all aspects of society. As we observe International Women’s Day 2025, let’s commit to ensuring that future generations inherit a world where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.