International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 calls on us to “Accelerate Action”—a reminder that progress for women cannot wait. At Belina GRoW, the theme this year is #WomenWelcome, celebrating the strength, resilience, and talent of women from all walks of life and urging employers, policymakers, and communities to take meaningful steps toward equality.
On Friday, the Belina Team hosted a powerful hybrid event, bringing together women from diverse nationalities to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. The discussions highlighted the everyday barriers women face—lack of childcare, unequal pay, and limited access to flexible work—and the urgent need for action to address them.
The event was a true celebration of diversity, with participants speaking 21 languages—including Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Irish, Malayalam, Tamil, Russian, French, Punjabi, Arabic, Japanese, Spanish, Guyanese Creole, and Nepalese. And that was just in the room! They were also joined by a vibrant group of women online, making it a truly international gathering. The conversations were uplifting, focusing on the importance of women’s contributions to society and how we can continue to support each other in achieving our goals.
Voices from the GRoW Community
Several women shared their personal reflections on what International Women’s Day means to them:
Khatera Ahmed MIEP, GRoW Adviser, shared: “To me, this day means freedom, fighting for our rights, resilience, and appreciating the women in our lives who are role models for us. We must also acknowledge the privilege of living in a country where we have access to opportunities that many women around the world do not. Coming from Afghanistan, I know how important it is to stand together. In my home country, many women are currently denied even their basic rights—education, work, and the ability to live independently. This day is a reminder that we must support each other and empower ourselves to use our voices to advocate for those who cannot. International Women’s Day is for celebrating the achievements of our journeys and also standing together like sisters, helping each other. When one woman rises, we all rise together.”
Iryna, GRoW Adviser, reflected on the significance of the day: “I am originally from Ukraine, and for us, this celebration comes early in spring—a time of new life and new hope. This day is very important, and I am so happy to be here with all of you, celebrating our achievements and resilience. I want to encourage all women to never give up.”
Another participant shared how moving to the UK was a life-changing experience: “When I arrived in the UK two years ago, I lacked confidence and barely left my home. I didn’t have the courage to handle people and was not bold enough. But today, I stand here in front of you all, sharing my story. We can overcome challenges, we can find our strength, and we can achieve anything when we support one another.”
Sushma from India shared a heartfelt message: “Today we celebrate International Women’s Day by thinking about our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, friends, teachers, and all the women who work hard every day. Women are strong and can achieve anything they set their minds to. Yet, too often, they face challenges simply because they are women. We must create a world where everyone has the same opportunities, regardless of whether they are boys or girls. Let’s promise to treat every woman fairly and with respect and keep working to ensure that all girls and women can reach their full potential.”
The event was not just a moment of reflection—it was a call to action. Women should be valued, supported, and empowered. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we must continue pushing for real change in workplaces, policies, and communities.
