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| Concept artwork generated by Google Gemini (Imagen 3) to celebrate International Women's Day. |
International Women's Day on March 8 is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to accelerate women's equality.
New research* released for the day has shown that gender equality remains a key societal issue, with women’s rights under threat due to workplace inequalities and online abuse. The annual study, released by HeForShe, The United Nations Global Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality, and global marketing agency TEAM LEWIS, revealed that public awareness of gender inequality has increased, but geopolitical issues overshadow the issue:
- Over 75% believe companies still need to implement policies for women in the workplace.
-
One third of women (32%) have reconsidered their employment due to
their company’s in-office policy. Of those, 45% say the reason for
reconsidering is inflexibility at work.
- Only 17% of women received a pay rise in the last year, compared to 24% of men.
- In leadership, women continue to be under-represented. The percentage of women in senior management roles declined to 53% this year, vs 56% in 2023 and 2024.
"Rights, equality and empowerment remain vital to global prosperity. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Equality is everyone’s responsibility. 2025 is the year for men and boys to stand alongside women and girls to help make change happen.” said Vesna Jaric, Global Head of HeForShe, UN Women.
The benefits of gender diversity were championed by industry observers.
Lim Hsin Yin, VP of Sales for ASEAN, Cohesity, has contributed to the community through mentoring initiatives, including as Chairwoman of the SGTech AI Skills and Training Committee and in industry councils.
She observed: "International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made in fostering gender diversity and to reflect on the work still ahead. With over 30 years in the tech industry, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of diverse perspectives."
Stephanie Barnett, VP of Presales for the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), Okta said: "On International Women’s Day, when
I reflect on what it means to be a woman in tech I feel both inspired
by how far things have come, and feel energised and compelled to do so
much more. While progress has been made, sectors like presales,
security, and identity still reveal a significant gender gap that has
persisted for decades and will continue until we radically and
aggressively change and solve for the biases that exist across
education, recruitment and workforce inequity.
"Mentorship has
had a transformative impact on my career. I’ve been fortunate to have
mentors, both men and women, who have offered guidance that goes beyond
advice, helping me navigate difficult situations and complex challenges.
I feel deeply accountable to pay forward the privilege that I have had
in having phenomenal cheerleaders sitting in my blind spots helping me
course correct, deeply reflect and charge forward with perspective and
support.
"Personally, I believe that fostering diversity in an
organisation is not just a checkbox activity and it takes work, takes
focus, takes commitment and it may lead to discomfort and potential
change management that will be initially uncomfortable, but future and
long term looking will significantly accelerate revenue and positive
business business results."
Said Remus Lim, Senior VP, Asia Pacific & Japan, Cloudera: "As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this
year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, serves as a call to move beyond
conversation and drive real, measurable progress. At Cloudera, we know
that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn’t achieved in a single
day—it’s a continuous effort that requires commitment, accountability,
and the courage to challenge the status quo.
"Creating a truly
inclusive workplace isn’t just about policies or programmes—it’s about
recognising the talent, ambition, and potential that too often go
unseen. Business leaders have a responsibility to not only open doors
but to actively support and uplift those who may have been overlooked by
traditional hiring and promotion practices."
"I’ve seen
firsthand how potential-based hiring and mentorship can change
careers—and lives. During the period when I was mentoring a colleague, I
realised the importance of approaching issues from different angles
when charting out new communication pathways between my mentee and other
members of the leadership team. This allowed her to see her ideas to
fruition while the organisation benefits from fresh perspectives across
functions and levels," added Lim from Cloudera.
"When we focus on who someone can become, rather than just what they’ve done in the past, we create pathways for talent that may not have had the same access or opportunities. When we do this, our teams grow stronger, our innovation becomes richer, and our workplaces become places where everyone has the chance to thrive."
Verena Siow, President and MD, SAP Southeast Asia, shared that this year's theme for International Women’s Day, Accelerate Action, deeply
resonated with her. "To me, this theme reinforces the notion that we
must take urgent and proactive actions to drive gender equity and
parity. It also aligns with one of my personal mantras: Accelerate to Innovate. Just
as businesses must embrace bold, decisive action to drive meaningful
innovation, we must do the same to advance gender equity," she said.
"Change
is often perceived as a gradual process. But while it is true that
change does not take place overnight, every little step we take in
accelerating action unlocks new possibilities. In Southeast Asia, I’ve
seen firsthand how equipping women with the right skills, access, and
support can create extraordinary outcomes."
"Yet, barriers
remain. Systemic biases still slow progress, from unequal access to
leadership opportunities to deeply ingrained stereotypes. The World
Economic Forum estimates that at the current pace, full gender parity
will not be achieved for another 134 years — a timeline we cannot accept."
"Innovation does not happen by waiting. It happens by taking action, challenging norms, and accelerating change. Just as we push the boundaries of technology, we must do the same for equity, opportunity, and leadership. The reality is clear: diversity drives better decisions, stronger businesses, and more resilient economies. The question is no longer “why” we need to act, but how much quicker we can make change happen," Siow concluded.
"The broader challenge of gender equality remains stark. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, achieving full gender parity will take 134 years—roughly five generations—at the current pace of progress. We cannot afford to wait. Governments, businesses, academia, and industry bodies must work together to ensure gender equality is not just a long-term aspiration but an urgent economic and innovation priority," agreed Jess Ng, Country Head, Singapore and Brunei, Fortinet.
Siow touched on mentorship and leadership as solutions. To truly
accelerate progress, three actions are critical, she said:
- Sponsorship over mentorship. Women need not just mentorship but
advocates—leaders who actively open doors, champion careers, and create
opportunities.
- Equal access to leadership tracks.
High-impact projects and decision-making roles must be accessible to
women at all levels, ensuring a stronger pipeline for future leadership.
- A redefinition of leadership. Success is not just about traditional leadership traits like aggressiveness; it’s about diverse perspectives, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity. Organisations that embrace this perform better and retain top talent.
Explore
Download the HeForShe research at https://www.teamlewis.com/heforshe/
Hashtags: #IWD2025, #AccelerateAction
*TEAM LEWIS Foundation surveyed the general population aged 18 and above across a balanced and diverse group of ages, races, and gender. A total of 5,003 respondents were polled across 10 countries, including the US, UK, UAE, Australia, China, France, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, and Spain. Localised translations were provided where necessary. Data was collected through an online survey consisting of 55 questions and fielded from February 5 to 14, 2025.
