International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is here, and this year’s theme is “Accelerate Action.” Why? Because at our current pace, true gender equality is still generations away. We don’t have time to wait. We need bold steps, not baby steps.
WHY I STARTED UNDERWEAR FOR HUMANITY
IWD is personal for me. I didn’t start Underwear for Humanity just to sell underwear—I built it to challenge the way fashion operates, to create ethical jobs, and to prove that business can be done differently.
As a woman founder, I’ve seen first-hand how gender impacts opportunities, leadership, and even the ability to access funding. That’s why UH isn’t just a brand; it’s a commitment to supporting women at every level—from fair wages in our supply chain to our one-for-one program that provides essentials to women in need.
We don’t just talk about gender equality—we build it into our business every single day.
THE REALITY CHECK: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
🔹 Equal Pay? Still Not a Thing – In Australia, the gender pay gap sits at 13%, meaning women are still earning less than men for the same work. (WGEA, 2024)
🔹 Workplace Leadership? Still a Boys’ Club – Women hold only 19% of CEO positions in Australia’s top companies. (CEW, 2024)
🔹 Safety? A Long Way to Go – In 2024 alone, one woman a week was killed by a current or former partner. (Our Watch, 2024)
INTERSECTIONALITY MATTERS: EQUALITY FOR ALL WOMEN
It’s not just about gender—it’s about race, disability, sexuality, class, and culture. Women from marginalised communities face even bigger barriers, which is why we need an intersectional approach to gender equality.
💡 What You Can Do: Support initiatives that amplify voices from First Nations women, migrant women, disabled women, and LGBTQ+ communities. True feminism is inclusive.
What Can Businesses Do? (Hint: More Than Pink Cupcakes and Social Media Post)
Here’s what real action looks like:
✅ Pay transparency & closing the gap – Audit salaries & fix discrepancies.
✅ More women in leadership – Actively promote & mentor women into senior roles.
✅ Flexible work policies – Because caregiving still falls disproportionately on women.
✅ Zero tolerance for workplace harassment – A policy is useless without enforcement.
HOW YOU CAN ACCELERATE ACTION
💜 Educate Yourself – Learn about gender issues beyond IWD.
💜 Call Out Inequality – In the workplace, at home, and in your community.
💜 Support Women-Owned Businesses – Your dollar is a vote for the future you want.
💜 Volunteer or Donate – Organisations supporting women need more than just awareness; they need action.
IWD isn’t about ‘empowering women’—women are already powerful. It’s about removing the barriers that stop us from thriving.
