Women’s Day is More Than a Celebration—It’s a Call to Action

Today, on International Women’s Day, we take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate all the incredible women across the world—our mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and friends. It’s a day to reflect on the immense strength, resilience, and contributions of women in every sphere of life.

Women have the power to create life, nurture, lead, and inspire. We overcome obstacles, break barriers, and persist in spaces that were never built for us. Despite the progress, we still live in a world where women are expected to remain quiet, where our voices are often dismissed, and where we are forced to navigate industries and environments that do not always welcome us.

I remember meeting a female CEO in Mauritius—an incredibly powerful yet humble woman. You could tell she had fought to be where she was, managing an entire company in a male-dominated space. Seeing women like her succeed is inspiring, yet it also highlights the struggles we continue to face.

Women in business still experience discrimination, condescension, and outright harassment. I recently spoke to a woman who was trying to develop an IT project and had to fight to be taken seriously. She attended conferences, built networks, and finally met potential business partners—only to realize that some of them had ulterior motives, expecting something in return for their “support.” This is the reality for many women, and the fact that we have to be “diplomatic” about it is exhausting.

And then there’s the personal side—relationships where women are expected to tolerate disrespect and sacrifice themselves for the comfort of men. I’ve seen it too many times: women carrying the weight of a household, taking care of children, and staying loyal to partners who do not return that same respect. If a man cannot be honest with the person closest to him, how can he be trusted in business or any other aspect of life?

Women deserve better. We deserve honesty, respect, and the freedom to pursue our goals without compromise. To every woman out there—speak up, demand more, and never settle for less than what you’re worth. And to those who still believe blind trust is a virtue—wake up. Awareness is power.

And speaking of awareness, the current situation in Nigeria is a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done. The Nigerian Senate recently suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment. Instead of addressing the serious allegation, the system chose to silence her, sending a clear message that women who speak up will be punished rather than heard. If it weren’t for my friends posting about it, I might not have even known. This is exactly why we need to keep talking, keep sharing, and keep fighting. Women deserve justice, not just on Women’s Day, but every day. And honestly, I hope someone in that country does something about it—because leaders who silence women instead of protecting them have no place in power.

On this Women’s Day, let’s celebrate not just how far we’ve come but also the work still to be done. To the women who keep pushing, breaking barriers, and refusing to accept less—this day is for you.

Happy International Women’s Day.