On March 8, 2025, people worldwide will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global event that honors women’s achievements and raises awareness of the ongoing fight for gender equality. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, underscores the urgent need to break down barriers hindering women and girls from reaching their full potential. Now more than ever, it’s time to act decisively and turn gender equality from a distant hope into a lived reality.

The Urgency of Now

At the current pace, gender equality will not be achieved until 2158. This delay represents ongoing barriers for women, with missed opportunities for economic growth and societal progress. The theme #AccelerateAction reflects the pressing need to close this gap and address these inequities. Political shifts, particularly in the U.S., have impacted gender-sensitive program funding, with some policies hindering progress in critical areas like sexual health and women’s empowerment. However, strong momentum remains among global organizations and civil society to advocate gender-responsive policies. The time to act is now—because ‘equality delayed is opportunity denied.’

Gender inequality is not just a social issue; it is an economic, political, and environmental crisis. Women and girls, especially from marginalized communities, continue to face systemic barriers. In the U.S., women earn only 82 cents for every dollar men earn, and globally, one in three women experience gender-based violence. These inequities limit both individual potential and broader societal progress. The call to #AccelerateAction demands swift efforts to dismantle these obstacles and foster environments where women can thrive. We need urgent, collaborative action for a more equitable world.

Backlash Against Gender Progress

International Women’s Day (IWD) has long symbolized the progress made and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. It celebrates women’s achievements while advocating for accelerated efforts to close the gender gap. However, recent global shifts, particularly the rise of populist and conservative movements have threatened this progress. Some political leaders have restricted gender-related language, framing it as resistance to “gender ideology.” This rhetoric undermines years of work toward inclusivity by erasing diverse identities and experiences.

Toxic masculinity has re-emerged as a harmful counter-narrative, championed by leaders who claim to protect women’s rights while endorsing policies that uphold patriarchal values and limit women’s autonomy. This resurgence normalizes aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression, silencing feminist discourse and obstructing efforts to dismantle patriarchal systems. Women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, continue to bear the brunt of these regressive ideals.

A Day of Reflection and Resistance

IWD should thus not only serve as a day of celebration but also as a day of reflection and resistance against the distortions of gender equity. It’s crucial to reject the false notion that toxic masculinity can coexist with women’s empowerment. Endorsing these harmful ideals undermines women’s voices and rights, framing gender discussions as divisive rather than addressing the structural inequalities that perpetuate inequity for women. True empowerment lies in equality, dignity, and the freedom to shape our own destinies.

This International Women’s Day is not only about acknowledging the progress we’ve made but also about confronting the hurdles still in our way, especially those erected by individuals in positions of power. The work to achieve gender equality goes beyond celebrating women’s achievements; it requires dismantling the toxic systems that have long held us back. Women deserve to be genuinely celebrated for their contributions, not just ‘tolerated’ or ‘protected.’ We must create spaces where women can be their full selves without fear of judgment, marginalization, or silencing so society as a whole can benefit from their leadership and contributions.

Let’s amplify the voices of women who challenge these distorted narratives—the activists, scholars, community leaders, and everyday women who are pushing against the tide of toxic masculinity and redefining what it means to live in a world where women are not only allowed to thrive but are actively nurtured and supported to do so. These are the voices calling for true inclusion, respect, and equality, and it is their work that must be at the forefront of our efforts.

A Call to Action

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration, it’s a call to action. We must reaffirm our commitment to fighting for a world where women can lead without apology, break free from the shackles of harmful, outdated ideals, and live in a world where true gender equality is realized, not just hoped for. We can’t afford to wait. We can’t afford to be complacent. The fight for gender equality is ongoing, and it demands our collective resolve. Now is the time to #AccelerateAction and ensure that women everywhere have the opportunity to thrive.