For International Women’s Day, the theme for 2025 is Accelerate Action, which focuses on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. This year calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

One of the biggest ways to help accelerate action is to support the organisations and charities who already doing the work in these areas. There are so many impactful groups, both here in the UK and across the world, who are organising and delivering vital work that supports women and girls. Solidarity has never been more important, so Stylist spoke to five organisations and charities about tangible actions we can all take to turn this into action and push for change and a more equal world.

Laura Blackham, head of membership at Fawcett Society: “Get comfortable talking about what you earn”

While we all know that systems need to change, and not women, but there are still lots of things we can do to improve workplace equality. Firstly, we need to get comfortable talking about what we earn. Pay inequality thrives because of a culture of secrecy. We need to see employers publish salary bands with job ads. If you earn £40,000 or less and think you’re being paid less because you’re a woman, get in touch with the Equal Pay Advice Service.

We also need to be aware of the yawning gender pay gaps of some UK employers. Arm yourself with information and visit the government’s gender pay gap service, which will tell you how your employer is doing when it comes to closing its gender pay gap.

Hayley Roffey, co-CEO at Global Fund For Children: “Support and invest in organisations supporting women and girls”

Less than 1% of global aid spending directly targets women and girls’ organisations, according to recent data from the UN. Yet, this is one of the best investments you can make to impact entire communities. Don’t discount the wisdom, energy, determination and courage of women and girls.

Three decades in this field have shown me a universal truth: supporting women ignites progress for entire communities. Through my work with Global Fund for Children, I’ve watched grassroots leaders dismantle gender-based violence, end FGM and turn school gates into welcoming spaces for girls. These women don’t need saviours – they need allies who trust their expertise. Support and invest in organisations supporting women and girls.

Seek out organisations who are empowering local leaders rather than imposing solutions, as sometimes the most radical act is simply saying, “We trust you to decide.”

Millie, Girlguiding advocate: “Shopping sustainably can be such a small but important change”

Gender inequality and climate change are closely linked: maternal health is greatly affected by extreme heat, gender-based violence can become amplified in areas damaged by conflict and disaster, and threats to land and natural resources can impact the many women who rely on it for their food and income.

Purchasing secondhand and sustainable products can help limit waste being sent to landfill, alongside lowering carbon emissions. You could swap fast-fashion brands for local businesses and secondhand shops or aim to buy fewer items of higher quality to reduce consumption overall. It is also a great opportunity to support women-owned businesses, promoting a collective strength to improve the lives of women.

Sara Bowcutt, managing director at Women for Women International UK: “Call on the government to stop aid cuts”

Against the global backdrop of rising conflicts, rollbacks of women’s rights and government cuts to international aid, accelerating action to achieve gender equality has never been so urgent. The women survivors of war we serve are facing some of the worst marginalisation and threats to their rights and lives. And yet, they band together in sisterhood and hold on to hope. Often, we hear that they find courage and power in everyday actions, such as sharing knowledge from our programme with their neighbours or practising a new skill. This International Women’s Day, I invite you to take action – help us build a more equal world and feel hope again.”

The UK government has announced devastating cuts to the aid budget – slashing funding by a further 40%. This decision will have dire consequences for women in conflict-affected communities, where aid is already failing to reach those who need it most. Women for Women International’s global consultation, From Asking to Action, revealed that 75% of women in conflict zones are calling for more funding and resources – not less.

Take two minutes to write to your MP and urge them to stand against these cuts. It’s simple: click here to send a pre-written message or personalise it to make an even bigger impact. Every email sent strengthens our call for change. Make your voice impossible to ignore.

Abigail Ampofo, interim CEO at Refuge: “Challenge misogynistic comments and jokes”

To mark International Women’s Day, Refuge has launched a Red Flags campaign to raise awareness of toxic behaviours that aren’t always perceived as abusive. Taking the time to learn about these red flags, behaviours that often go unrecognised and unreported, is essential in tackling violence against women and girls and progressing towards gender equality. Educating friends and family about the normalisation of behaviours that can be abusive, such as location tracking, plays a vital role in empowering survivors to recognise and understand that they are experiencing abuse.

But it should never be viewed as a ‘women’s issue’ alone. Without men playing an active role in preventing this violence, we will struggle to see any meaningful change.

One small step towards accelerating action for gender equality is challenging the men in your life when they make subtly misogynistic remarks. While offhand comments may seem harmless, allowing small sexist remarks to go unchallenged contributes to a societal environment in which violence against women and girls is normalised. This responsibility should not rest solely on women; it is essential for men to take the initiative, call out their peers and hold themselves accountable.

Images: Getty