Shall We Wait Until 2158 To Get Ahead?

Ahead of #IWD2025 and its theme of ‘Accelerate Action’, let’s be clear – this isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a societal issue, an economic issue, a human issue.

Every year, I look back at the origins of International Women’s Day, and my friends expect no different. Because history isn’t just a lesson – it’s a call to action.

And here’s a reality check: at the current rate of progress, we won’t achieve full gender parity until 2158, according to data from the World Economic Forum. That’s five generations from now. Five generations of women and girls being told to “wait their turn.” We can do better!

So, let’s talk about Clara Zetkin. A name you should know. A force of nature who understood that real change takes more than talk – it takes relentless, collective action. Sound familiar?

Clara Zetkin – The Woman Who Refused To Wait

Born in 1857, Clara Zetkin was a German socialist, feminist, and activist who fought for working-class women. Low wages, unsafe conditions, zero political representation – she saw it all and refused to accept it.

In 1910, she proposed what became International Women’s Day – a day to rally, protest, and push for progress. And in 1911, over a million people across Europe took to the streets demanding suffrage, labour rights, and an end to gender discrimination.

They didn’t wait. They acted.

What ‘Accelerate Action’ Means in 2026

More than a century later, we still need that same fire. Because while we’ve made strides, the barriers are still standing. And barriers are meant to be broken. The theme for #IWD2025 – ‘Accelerate Action’ isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command. A call to push harder, move faster, and refuse to accept delays.

Here’s where we start:

✅ Close the Pay Gap – Equal pay for equal work. Not tomorrow, not next year – now.

✅ Advance Women in Leadership – Boardrooms. Parliaments. CEO offices. Representation matters, and we must push quotas, mentorship, and policies that make leadership accessible.

✅ Strengthen Support for Caregivers – Women still shoulder most caregiving responsibilities. Workplaces and policies must evolve to support them, from childcare to flexible working.

✅ Tackle Gender-Based Violence – Laws, education, and societal shifts must work together to protect women. This is personal to me, and I’m further inspired by the Berkshire Community Foundation and their CEO, Gerry Leguire, who are leading incredible work in this space.

✅ Empower Female Entrepreneurs – Funding, tools, and networks must be accessible. We need to scale female-owned businesses – not just talk about it. If you missed the report I recently launched in the House of Commons with my co-authors, you can find it here.

The Power of Collective Action

Clara Zetkin taught us something crucial: change does not happen by waiting – it happens through action. The women of 1911 didn’t wait. They marched. They demanded. They changed history.

And in 2026, we must do the same. Governments, businesses, and individuals – every single one of us – have a role to play in accelerating action for a truly equitable world.

So, this International Women’s Day, let’s refuse to wait. Let’s push harder. Demand more. Act faster. Because the time for action isn’t 2158. The time is NOW.

A huge thank you to the powerhouses who share this mission, this passion, and this unstoppable grit. You know who you are.