5 Ways to Empower Women on IWD 2025

5 Ways to Empower Women on IWD 2025

International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than just a date on the calendar – it’s an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we need to go. We've made significant progress, from women not being able to open credit cards to breaking through the corporate glass ceiling. However, the journey is far from complete. In 2025, we’ve moved past the performative gestures. This year, we need action, focusing on skills-building, career development, and creating lasting change for women everywhere.

What’s the Theme?

The theme for IWD 2025 has been set by the "International Women’s Day" website as Accelerate Action, and the UN’s theme for this year is ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. Both messages are loud and clear: It’s time for action. In a world where women have long been sidelined, the call is to focus on actionable change and commitment. Whether it’s in your workplace, community, or network, the task at hand is to act, not just talk.

Sonya Barlow at an LMF Network event.

Here are 5 Do’s and Don’ts for IWD 2025

Do’s

1. Invest in training budgets and mentorship programs – Building a support system through skill development and mentorship is crucial to women’s growth and success. Training helps women upskill and bridge the gender gap in leadership roles.

2. Organise during-work-hours social events with key takeaways – It’s important to foster environments where women can grow and learn. Social events that promote learning opportunities show that women’s empowerment is more than a ‘side project.’

3. Buy books from female authors – Support women’s voices in literature. Purchasing books by female authors can amplify their stories, experiences, and perspectives.

4. Donate funds to nonprofits, education initiatives, and social entrepreneurs – It’s essential to direct financial support to causes that drive empowerment and provide women with equal opportunities to succeed.

5. Celebrate the achievements of women in the workplace – Recognition fosters growth. Celebrate the accomplishments of the women in your workplace or community and give them the visibility they deserve.

Don’ts

1. Don’t buy them a generic, overpriced candle as a “present” – While well-intentioned, gifts like expensive candles do little to address the actual needs of women in the workplace. Let’s focus on what can really create an impact: support, mentorship, and opportunities.

2. Don’t expect women to organise events after hours – Women’s time should be respected. Expecting them to plan events after hours can reinforce the gendered expectations of unpaid labor.

3. Don’t outreach to experts and speakers for free work – Women professionals should be compensated fairly for their time and expertise. Asking for free work can perpetuate the undervaluation of women in the workplace.

4. Don't just change your social assets to pink – It’s time to move beyond performative actions. Genuine change happens through the allocation of resources and support, not just surface-level adjustments.

5. Don’t be performative in your actions – Women’s empowerment is about measurable, tangible change, not just check-the-box initiatives. Performative actions do nothing but create a false sense of progress.

Photo from LMF Network

Takeaway

At LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females), we’ve always focused on tangible action to support women’s growth and development. Over the years, we’ve been part of campaigns, content creation, and conferences, all in the name of real empowerment. We’ve launched a jobs board, a mentorship program, and continue to advocate for equality and equity in every space we occupy.

This year, we’ve soft-launched our LMF Network app – a space for women to build their networks, have career conversations, and take control of their career journeys. It's about creating spaces where women can thrive through mentorship and opportunities.

Key Piece of Advice

Invest your time, resources, and money into initiatives that foster knowledge, skill-building, and networking. Remember: 80% of your opportunities come through your network – so build it, nurture it, and ensure that every woman has the chance to grow.

So What?

It’s time to make IWD 2025 more than just a hashtag. By aligning our actions with our values, we can create lasting change for women everywhere. Download our app, get involved in our programs, or donate to support women’s mentorship and career development. Together, we can make IWD 2025 a turning point for real change.

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Sonya Barlow is an award-winning entrepreneur, presenter and author with over 100K followers. She hosts her self-titled YouTube show "The Sonya Barlow Show", authored the business book "Unprepared to Entrepreneur" and runs a business inclusion consultancy and networking app the "LMF Network". You can work with Sonya for campaigns, content and conversation. Connect via email - Hello@SonyaBarlow.Co.Uk.