WoW Views: What International Women’s Day means to me

International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place this Sunday, with a host of events taking place in Cork in the run-up to the event.

The first IWD gathering took place in 1911 - 115 years ago- and since then, it has grown into a global event which aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

The theme of IWD this year is GiveToGain – a theme that a number of women in Cork told us resonated deeply with them.

Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork

International Women’s Day holds deep significance for me, both personally and professionally.

As a female politician and one of only four women ever to serve as Mayor of the County of Cork, the day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead.

I am continually inspired by the women who paved the way, those who fought for equality, inclusion, and the right to have our voices heard in every space where decisions are made.

When I look around the council chamber today, I see dedicated female colleagues who work tirelessly for their communities. Though we may come from different political backgrounds, we share a common understanding: women remain underrepresented in politics, and meaningful change requires ongoing commitment.

International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity not only to acknowledge these challenges but to reaffirm our determination to address them.

By encouraging more women to step forward, supporting those already in public life, and creating political environments where women can thrive, we move closer to a system that truly reflects the society it serves.

Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive, Cork City Council

Local government thrives when it reflects the communities it serves, and women make up half of the population.

Effective governance benefits from the presence of women, and of men, working side by side.

Supporting women in local government is not only the right thing to do - it strengthens our organisations and our communities.

I have walked the path of leadership in local government.

For a time, I was the only female Director of Services at the management table, but I never saw myself as anything other than an equal.

Leadership demands choices and boundaries, and I learned that we must own those choices with confidence.

And role models matter.

When women see other women at the table, they believe they can sit there too.

Supporting women in local government is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic one.

Studies indicate that organisations with greater gender diversity outperform those with less diversity.

In local government, this translates to more effective policies, improved community engagement, and ultimately, a better quality of life for those we are here to serve.

There is a powerful connection among women, rooted in shared experiences of having to juggle more, balance more, and navigate sacrifice in ways that still resonate today.

That bond is a source of resilience and solidarity.

As Madeleine Albright said, “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Anna Groniecka, President, Network Ireland West Cork

For me, International Women’s Day has become more personal as the years go on. In my twenties, it felt symbolic. Now, in my forties, it feels layered - shaped by motherhood, leadership, self-doubt, growth and resilience.

The theme Give To Gain resonates deeply because I’ve experienced how true it is.

Every time I’ve supported another woman, shared knowledge, opened a door, or simply encouraged someone to step forward, I’ve gained something too — perspective, strength and connection.

There is something incredibly powerful about women backing women without competition or comparison.

As a business owner and President of Network Ireland West Cork, I see how visibility changes things.

When women are given space to speak, to lead and to be seen fully, confidence grows - not just individually, but collectively.

For me, IWD is a reminder that progress is built in small daily acts of courage and generosity.

What we give - time, mentorship, honesty, support - always comes back multiplied.

Diane Higgins, President, Network Ireland Cork

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’ feels both simple and yet powerful.

It strikes a chord with me because I have seen how transformative support between women can be.

There have been moments when I questioned whether I was ready to step forward, to take on more, to use my voice.

In those moments, it was often another woman’s encouragement, a quick “you’ve got this” that made the difference.

My theme for Network Cork in 2026 is ‘Better Together’, which reflects the same belief.

When women support women, we build confidence, leadership and community.

Time and again, I have seen that giving can mean receiving in ways that we could not have imagined, and the confidence to step forward ourselves. Happy International Women’s Day!

Caitriona Twomey

On International Women’s Day, the theme ‘Give to Gain’, for me, means women who give their time, courage, and commitment become more powerful, transform communities and inspire others. Those who give earn deepest love and respect, women are resilient, compassionate and selfless, the change-makers in leadership and the glue that holds families, movements and institutions together with fierce, steady strength and unshakable grace, sparking hope, justice and lasting transformation. Women... the indispensable heart of society.

Tracy McCarthy, Naturally Balanced

I’m Tracy McCarthy, founder of Naturally Balanced Kinsale, and I’m passionate about supporting women through holistic wellbeing and encouraging other women in business. #GiveToGain, to me, is about women supporting women and helping make the journey a little easier for each other. As a woman in business, I know it takes courage to start, and there can be a lot of self-doubt along the way. One of the things that has helped me most is meeting other women who were open about their experiences, both the good parts and the hard parts. Their honesty, encouragement, and support gave me confidence and reminded me that we’re not doing this alone. I’m also very grateful for the women who came before us and created opportunities that have made things more possible for women in business today. Because of that, I feel it’s important to share what we learn, encourage one another, and keep that support going. For me, #GiveToGain is about community, kindness, and lifting each other as we grow. When one woman does well, it can give another woman the confidence to take her own next step.

Enrika Moore, Viska Systems co-founder

I am co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Viska Systems, where we deliver AI-powered vision inspection and automation solutions to manufacturers globally. International Women’s Day is both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the responsibility we share to create real opportunity for women in business and STEM. The theme #GiveToGain strongly resonates with me. Throughout my journey, support, mentorship, and shared knowledge have been invaluable. Giving - whether time, visibility, or encouragement - creates momentum. When one woman steps forward and is supported, it opens doors for others.

Edel Kavanagh

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’, is very personal to me. My nan used to say, “You only get out what you put in,” and it’s a principle I’ve come to live by. Whether it’s exams, relationships, hobbies, or even what you cook for dinner, the output always reflects the input.

This is my ninth year working at Cork International Hotel, part of Trigon Hotels. I started as a receptionist and worked my way up to Deputy General Manager three years ago. I’ve always felt that any recognition or opportunity I’ve received has been a direct result of the hard work I’ve put in. The late nights, the extra hour on a Friday, and the missed weekend events have all come back to me in the form of a career I’m proud of and a job I genuinely love.

To me, Give to Gain is about showing up, putting in the effort, and trusting that what you invest will come back to you in meaningful ways.

Sian Horn, host of Bebelle podcast/ business mentor and founder of Elite pilates

International Women’s Day, for me, is about connection, generosity and recognising the power we hold when we choose to give - not from obligation, but from genuine care. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, resonates deeply because it reflects how I have always moved through both life and work.

I’ve long believed that the more we give — our time, our attention, our support, our listening - the more we grow. Real connection isn’t created through transactions or self-promotion; it’s built when we show up for one another, when we listen without agenda and when we share honestly. Those moments of generosity create trust, and trust creates opportunity.

Giving has a ripple effect. What you put out doesn’t always come back immediately, and often it returns in ways you don’t expect - through new relationships, unexpected support, or simply a sense of belonging. 

That, to me, is real gain. I’ve always been a giver and that will never change. 

There is something incredibly special about watching someone receive something you’ve given - whether it’s encouragement, time, or a tangible gift. That joy, that shared moment, is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen alone. We rise higher when we rise together.There is power in numbers.

Roisin Corr, Elephant in the Room Gifts

For me, I don’t see ‘GiveToGain’ in material terms at all. For me, it’s spiritual. It’s mindful. It’s soul-satisfying. It’s a little like yin and yang. When we give something genuinely, whether that’s time, kindness, understanding, or support, we gain something far greater in return. Not in a transactional way, but with a sense of fulfilment and of knowing you’ve eased someone’s load, even slightly.

There’s no better feeling in the world than knowing you’ve helped someone in some way, big or small. Those are the kinds of giving that make us feel alive, worthy and useful. Three feelings that, for many women, are at the very core of who we are.

That, to me, is what ‘give to gain’ really means.

Gillian McGrath, founder of Change Grow Succeed

As the founder of Change Grow Succeed, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, feels both deeply personal and profoundly important to me. As a mother to a daughter and two sons, and as someone who has spent the past decade delivering Empowering Women programmes and coaching to women across many organisations, I have seen first-hand the barriers, biases, and invisible expectations that continue to shape women’s experiences at work.

For too long, progress has been framed through competition - competing for limited seats at the table and scarce leadership opportunities. That mindset can unintentionally pit women against one another and reinforce the belief that there is room for only a few to succeed. To me, Give to Gain represents a powerful shift toward collaboration: building allies, sharing influence, and widening pathways so that success becomes collective rather than exclusive.

I will be facilitating keynotes across the month for many organisations across our country who wish to celebrate International Women’s Day. In these events, I will focus on humanising this year’s theme and offer practical tips for everyday action. Because when generosity becomes strategic and collaboration becomes intentional, real momentum builds - and I truly believe that a rising tide lifts all boats.

Cllr Ciara O’Connell

I’m Ciara O’Connor, a Cork City Councillor representing the South West Ward and Chair of Cork City Council’s Women’s Caucus. My work focuses on equality, community safety, education, and making sure women’s voices are heard in every decision we make at local level.

For me, International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a checkpoint. It’s a chance to celebrate the women who lead quietly and loudly across our city, in schools, in sport, in community groups, in business, and in politics. But it’s also a moment to be honest about the work still to do. Equality doesn’t just happen because we support it in principle, it happens because people push for it, organise for it, and stand up for it.

‘Give To Gain’ really resonates with me. I see every day that when women give their time, care, leadership, ideas, and courage, our communities are stronger for it. But I also believe this theme is about creating space.

When we give opportunities, give support, give visibility, we gain confidence, representation, and better decisions. We gain healthier communities. We gain fairness. For me, it’s simple: when women thrive, Cork thrives. And that’s something worth working for every single day.

Dr Sinead O’Donovan

It means giving what I wish someone had given me earlier. For years, I led high-performing teams while running on empty. I looked regulated on the outside. Inside, my nervous system was in survival mode. I didn’t know that my stress was quietly contagious, that my team could literally feel my dysregulation and shut down creatively because of it. Nobody told me that. So now I do.

#GiveToGain resonates deeply because the most valuable thing I can give women in leadership isn’t a strategy or a framework, it is permission. Permission to lead from a regulated, grounded place rather than performing strength while burning out. When I share the science of how our nervous systems shape the teams around us, I watch something shift in the room. Women stop blaming themselves for feeling overwhelmed and start understanding their biology. That’s not soft knowledge. That’s the most powerful leadership tool I’ve ever encountered. International Women’s Day, for me, is a commitment to keep giving that knowledge away. Because when women lead from a place of genuine safety rather than chronic stress, entire lives transform (work and home). This is exactly the multiplication the world needs.

I am Dr Sinéad O’Donovan, a consultant helping executives overcome stress, exhaustion, and decision fatigue by optimising their internal leadership systems to achieve sustained high performance.

Fiona Wall, Marketing Manager and EU Projects Manager at AxisBIC

I am the Marketing Manager and EU Projects Manager at AxisBIC; a not-for-profit organisation, driving entrepreneurial innovation in the South and Mid-West of Ireland for over 35 years. The AxisBIC Team supports high-growth entrepreneurs providing business expertise, mentorship, investment advice and guidance. We work extensively with female entrepreneurs.

In recent years, women have made up around 50% of participants at our flagship event, The Entrepreneur Experience - a figure that significantly exceeds the national average for female participation in entrepreneurship programmes.

Supporting and advancing female-led startups is central to our mission. To mark International Women’s Day this year, we are partnering with four incubators across Europe and the Caribbean. Five women will represent five incubators from across these regions - founders who are not only succeeding within the system but reshaping it, helping to ensure that those who follow face fewer barriers (see: www.axisbic.com). At AxisBIC, this commitment is aligned with a strong ‘Give to Gain’ ethos.

The organisation draws on an extensive network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and partners who mentor, coach and advise emerging founders. In addition, AxisBIC - together with the four Irish Business Innovation Centres - has recently organised and supported Enterprise Ireland’s newly established female accelerator programme, Next Wave.

Fiona Kennedy, singer/songwriter

I’m a singer/songwriter and music professional... not the easiest career choice for a woman, but I’m so glad I persevered! My creative passion is the driving force that has kept me going, and sharing my music for the power of good is very important to me.

As a performer, I’ve been privileged to lend my voice to many benefit gigs and fundraisers, and I’ve played for the annual International Women’s Day lunch for The Greater Chernobyl Cause every year for the last number of years. For me, the joy of freely giving is beyond price. Experiencing people’s enjoyment all around you is a real treat and nourishes your spirit more than anything else. This year, I’m absolutely buzzing to be teaming up with the wonderful White Horse Gospel Choir to play a fundraising concert in aid of the Stand4Féile cause in the Éire Óg GAA hall Ovens and all funds raised go to help a very brave teenager, Féile from West Cork. Being able to use your talents to help out, even in a small way, is always a win-win.

Elaine Duggan, from Cork, Digital Media and CRM Co-ordinator with See Her Elected (SHE).

SHE supports women in rural Ireland to become county councillors and to be part of their campaign teams. SHE is part of Longford Women’s Link and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, perfectly captures what we’re all about at See Her Elected. When women step up to lead, communities gain stronger representation, broader perspectives, and better decision-making. We actively support women to run in local elections through our free online and in-person workshops, engaging masterclasses, and our brand-new book, A Guide to Running in the 2029 Local Elections. These practical, confidence-building resources are designed not just for candidates, but also for their campaign teams, helping them build solid foundations as they prepare for Local Elections 2029.

The need for change is clear. Of the 949 councillors elected in 2024, only 256 were women. That imbalance highlights exactly why our work matters.

We want to see more women elected to county councils across Ireland, bringing fresh perspectives, lived experience, and stronger diversity to local government. While the next elections may seem a little way off, we strongly believe the time to start is now. Building confidence, networks, and campaign skills takes time and preparation is power. To see what workshops and masterclasses we have on offer sign up to SHE Academy on www.seeherelected. Now is the moment. Step forward. #GiveToGain.

Maura Mackey, Maura Mackey Design

My name is Maura Mackey, and my business is Maura Mackey Design. My motto in business is to make your property SMILE.

I will turn your home or property into a space you love spending time in. I create design ideas that work for you.

IWD is a day where I have a little smile to myself and look back on what I’ve learned and achieved in the past 12 months, while taking into account what didn’t work also. Growth is key personally and in business. IWD is a day where we celebrate, collaborate and check in on each other as women and cheer on our successes, but also note what didn’t work.

For me in business, a lot of my clients are repeat customers. My motto is give first, gain trust and then grow. Interior Design isn’t transactional, it’s emotional. Clients are trusting you with their homes, money, and lifestyle. So ‘give to gain’ means, to me - lead with value, not with a sales pitch.

When you give clarity and confidence, you gain credibility.

Networking for me is key, I always say ‘people buy people’. I am the best version of ME when surrounded by people that know and trust me. It’s not about keeping score. It’s about becoming known as someone generous, reliable, and collaborative. I mentor and offer advice freely to people who connect with me in business.

I give with an open heart always personally and in my business. When you give encouragement and transparency, you gain community - and community keeps you sane. And, by god, do we all need that!

I’ve noticed that the best opportunities often come from conversations that weren’t about money. When you genuinely focus on giving, you stop chasing business… and business starts finding you.

As a woman in business, I don’t compete - I contribute. When I give confidence, I gain community. IWD is a day to celebrate the best version of you and how you got there, no matter how many bumps on the road.

Amelia McNamara, Graceful Accounting Cork

I’m Amelia McNamara, founder of Graceful Accounting in Cork and Ireland’s first certified Profit First firm. I work with business owners to help them build profitable, stable companies that actually support their lives.

For me, #GiveToGain is about financial empowerment for women. I meet talented female founders every day who are bringing in revenue but still feel stressed, underpaid, or unsure if they are truly profitable. The gap isn’t ambition. It’s access to financial clarity and confidence. Giving women education around money changes that. When a woman understands her numbers, she makes braver decisions. She pays herself properly. She builds security for her family. She hires. She leads.

Giving to women’s advancement isn’t charity. It’s smart economics. When women gain financial stability, families strengthen, communities grow, and the impact lasts for generations. When women thrive financially, we all rise.

Louise Kane Buckley, Naturopath

I am Louise Kane Buckley, naturopath in Cork city and Kinsale. I work with women navigating pain, hormones, and overwhelm. I see what happens when support is real and consistent. When women feel listened to, their bodies can begin to settle. When they are educated about their health, fear can reduce. When we are mentored and trusted rather than judged, confidence grows.

To me, #GiveToGain is practical. It is giving women tools for their toolbox. Giving them space in their own heads. Offering acknowledgment and genuine gratitude for what they carry and what they contribute. Each woman’s uniqueness deserves to be celebrated. When we bring that uniqueness together, that is where the magic rises.

Sandra Daly, CEO of Mater Private Network Cork

International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress rarely happens alone - it grows from the support we give to one another.

There is a wonderful legacy of female leadership in health. Throughout my career some of the most meaningful moments have come from people who took the time to share advice, offer encouragement or simply listen. Those small acts of support can shape confidence, open doors and influence the direction of a career. They are often quiet gestures - but they matter.

The theme ‘Give to Gain’ feels particularly relevant in healthcare. Every day, women give their time, expertise, and compassion to patients, to colleagues and to their communities. What we gain in return is a stronger sense of purpose, teamwork, and shared achievement.

When we invest in others, we create workplaces where people feel valued and empowered to grow.

For me, leadership is not about standing at the front — it’s about creating space for others to step forward. Supporting someone’s development, encouraging a new voice at the table, or mentoring the next generation ultimately strengthens the whole organisation.

In Cork, we are fortunate to have a community of incredible women who lead with integrity, resilience, and generosity.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate that spirit - and to remember that when we give support and opportunity, we all gain.

Each of us have our own mission and values, be they personal or professional. While International Women’s Day is an occasion for reflecting on past accomplishments, it is also a time for looking forward to the opportunities awaiting future generations of women, and I ask what your mission is and what will be your legacy? Remembering that we all have a unique opportunity to focus on corporate social responsibility in our industry, to the benefit of young women.

Julia Skinner, author and founder of the Culinary Curiosity School

Growing up in a country where IWD wasn’t widely celebrated, I cherish being able to celebrate it now because the day gives me a chance to reflect on and feel pride in my accomplishments and those of the women around me.

For me, this year’s theme brings to mind gratitude: When we view the world around us with a focus on what we appreciate, we’re able to see what we can do to help others in a way that’s positive, but also let ourselves experience the benefits of helping others.

I do my best work, and have the most fun, when I set aside my worries and focus on helping the person right in front of me.

About me: I am an author, holistic creativity coach, and founder of the Culinary Curiosity School. I help fellow creatives and entrepreneurs build a sustainable creative practice, and in my own creative practice I write cookbooks and teach culinary classes.

Majella Galvin, estate agent

I’m Majella Galvin, an estate agent at DNG Galvin Estate Agents. When I started in this profession, it was largely male-dominated, and I was incredibly grateful to meet so many mentors - both male and female - who guided, challenged, and supported me along the way.

Over the years, I have also gained so much from networks like Network Ireland, my role as President of Bandon Toastmasters, and mentoring with Elevate Women in Surveying (SCSI). These experiences have shaped my growth both personally and professionally.

Now, I give back wherever I can - mentoring, supporting, and creating space for other women to thrive - while continuing to grow myself. I truly believe that when we give, we also receive: support, learning, and the joy of seeing others succeed. #GiveToGain reminds us that generosity and reciprocity create ripple effects that benefit everyone.

Shauna Colaci, style and confidence coach

As a style and confidence coach, I work with women every day to help them show up fully - in their clothes, in their careers, and in their lives.

For me, International Women’s Day and the theme #GiveToGain is about shifting from scarcity to abundance. Women are often conditioned to believe there’s only room for a few of us to succeed - but that’s simply not true. When we support, mentor or amplify another woman, we don’t lose - we create space for more. I see it constantly in my work: when a woman feels supported and confident in how she presents herself, she takes bigger steps. And when one woman steps into her power, it gives others permission to do the same.

Giving doesn’t mean subtraction. It’s multiplication. There is space for all of us.

Kate Ryan, Flavour.ie

Even before I knew I wanted to be a food writer, it was women who showed me food is a connector, how it empowers, and teaches us everything about the world.

I grew up watching Mum tend the veg garden that would feed us all year long, cooking with what she grew, while my grandmother taught me the elegance and joy of dining.

American food writer, Alice Waters, taught me how growing food and cooking with the seasons is a force for positive change. Reading Darina Allen’s Forgotten Skills Of Cooking, I was introduced to the bounty of wild food and a love of foraging, and food historian Regina Sexton taught me the immutable role of food through time. Without these women sharing their knowledge and fascination for food and the very human need to commune around a table, I would not be the food writer I am.

Most importantly, they all taught me to extend a hand to the next generation so they can find their place in food and writing, too.

Mary O’Grady, Education and career coach

This year’s International Women’s Day theme – ‘Give to Gain’ - reminds me that when we give opportunities, resources and support, we don’t divide the impact; we multiply it.

As Education and Career Coach at the Crann Centre, I see this impact every day in my work with women and girls living with neuro-physical disabilities, and their mothers. This day allows us to highlight the challenges for women living with a disability, they face greater challenges to employment, as reported in the 2022 Census Data - the labour force participation rate for women with a disability is 36% versus a 44% rate for men with a disability.

Every journey for a woman with a neuro-physical disability is different, and my role is to help them find the right fit for their future - accessing a fulfilling career through education, retaining employment after acquiring a disability, or regaining employment after a period of illness.

Children with a neuro-physical disability often have gaps in their education due to illness, surgery, or stamina issues. As their coach, I look at all the ways we can tap into their ability, overcome challenges and open opportunities to transition from primary to secondary education successfully and to make third level education attainable.

Working with a mother often starts by helping them navigate their child’s education journey. This leads to a discussion on their own hopes and the question arises, what about your career? The aim is to give them back an identity, independence, and hope for their future and for their families.

I feel very honoured that I can collaborate with amazing girls and women to support their hopes, dreams, and ambitions to see them thrive with their families and in their community.

Aoibhinn Twomey, communications consultant

International Women’s Day, for me, is about the women who quietly shape my world every single day.

As a communications consultant, I am surrounded by strong, intelligent, ambitious and caring women; clients, colleagues and friends, who challenge me, support me and inspire me in equal measure. But the deepest influence comes closer to home.

My mother showed me resilience long before I had the language to name it. My sisters have walked beside me through every chapter; the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between. My sisters-in-law have helped shape me not only as a woman, but as a mother. And my two young daughters inspire me daily, reminding me that the example I set truly matters.

And then there are my nieces. Watching them grab life with excitement and confidence, knowing in their bones that they can be and do anything they dream of. There is something profoundly hopeful in seeing that self-belief so naturally present. It reminds me that the work we do, the support we give one another, the standards we set, the conversations we have, quietly shapes the world they will grow into.

Life moves in stages and seasons. There are moments of joy and achievement, and there are chapters marked by loss, hurt, self-doubt, and the quiet challenges we don’t always name - hormones, heartbreak, pressure, expectation. We are constantly learning, often the hard way. And none of us does it alone.

The older I get, the more I know that success is not about competing with one another, but about championing each other. When we strip away pettiness, jealousy and comparison, what remains is something far more powerful - solidarity. The recognition that most of us are paddling furiously beneath a calm surface, like swans, doing our best to hold families, careers, and emotions together with grace.

‘Give to Gain’ resonates deeply. The support we offer — a word of encouragement, empathy, an honest conversation, a shared experience — returns to us in strength, perspective, and connection. When women lift one another, we don’t diminish ourselves; we expand what’s possible.

International Women’s Day is a reminder that we are all still learning, still evolving, still becoming - and that we do it best together so that the girls watching us today grow up believing that support, strength and solidarity are simply the norm.

Maggie Keane, Solicitor, Cantillons Solicitors

From a personal perspective in both training and working as a solicitor, I have benefited hugely from the generosity of some incredible mentors who have given their time, shared their knowledge, and championed my development.

The encouragement and guidance I receive has helped shape my career and reinforces the importance of lifting others as we climb.

I am very grateful for this and hope I provide the same support to junior colleagues as they progress in their careers.

In my work as a medical negligence solicitor, I advocate for patients. Even in 2026, I see how certain female-specific medical issues remain under-researched, underfunded and, too often, under-recognised. From delays in diagnosing gynaecological conditions, to the dismissal of chronic pain, to issues in maternal healthcare, women’s experiences in medicine have historically been minimised.

In medical negligence cases, this can have life-altering consequences. I believe that ‘giving’, in this context, means more than just legal representation. It means visibility and advocacy. It means ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their experiences validated.

While further progress is still needed, the growing awareness and targeted funding in women’s health mark an important step forward. By shining a light on these issues, I hope that I not only support individual clients but also contribute to broader awareness and continued positive changes.

Cathy Fitzgibbon, founder of The Culinary Celt

I am the founder of The Culinary Celt, which provides marketing consultancy for businesses in the food, agriculture and biodiversity sectors, while delivering food literacy education that connects generations - helping families and communities make healthier, more confident and informed food choices.

In my work, ‘give to gain’ is a daily reality. When we’re equipped with the skills to cook, understand ingredients, and make informed choices, we gain confidence, healthier habits, and greater independence.

Investing time in practical food knowledge pays back through improved wellbeing, reduced waste, and more mindful eating.

Ingrid Seim, psychological coach and leadership consultant

I think we need to be mindful about how we approach IWD and its themes. The themes are useful lenses through which we can bring attention to topics of importance, but unless we also keep fighting for real change in terms of what is needed to achieve gender equality there is a risk that they become a distraction. 

There is an almost cyclical feel to IWD at the moment, whereby nothing really changes yet we come together to talk about it under a slightly different guise each year. Having said that, change can also come from a multitude of small actions. And if we can look at this year’s theme of #GiveToGain and use it to find new ways of reflecting on what it means to create a more equal society, then it can still be a useful concept. How can we be more generous towards each other and actively frame this as part of a strategy to achieve gender equality? How can we lift each other up? How can we give space to those whose voices might otherwise not be heard? How can we better emphasise the value of equality to society as a whole? Answering those questions and following them up with actions might have more of an impact than we think.