Beyond the Hashtag: Turning ‘Accelerate Action’ into Real Change
Every year on International Women’s Day, we see a wave of hashtags, celebratory posts, and panel discussions about women in tech and beyond. Visibility matters, but true progress isn’t about a single day of recognition—it’s about taking tangible actions that drive lasting impact all year long. As we embrace IWD 2025’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ let’s focus on what real action looks like for women.
More Than Just Awareness—We Need Impact
The phrase “representation matters” is widely used, but what happens after representation? Women don’t just need a seat at the table—we need to be valued, supported, and given the space to lead in an environment that fosters true inclusion and belonging.
As a Pakistani woman with a global career in cybersecurity and technology, I have witnessed firsthand that the challenges women face in this field know no borders. I have been fortunate to have both female and male allies, mentors, and sponsors who have helped me grow and opened doors for me. But I’d be lying if I said the journey was always smooth or that every door stayed open. I have faced bias, resistance, and exclusion, but those challenges have shaped my perspective and strengthened me.
What I have learned is this: if someone tries to hold you back, take it as a lesson—not to mirror their actions, but to rise above them and break the cycle. Be the change you want to see. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Above all, support each other and pay it forward.
Supporting Women: Action Over Words
While organizations play a role in change, women supporting women is one of the most powerful accelerators of progress. We rise faster when we lift each other up, and true empowerment comes from:
Sponsoring, Not Just Mentoring: Women in leadership should go beyond advice and actively advocate for other women, recommending them for leadership roles, speaking opportunities, and promotions.
Building Inclusive Workplaces: Organizations should create environments where women feel safe, heard, and valued as decision-makers. Creating a workplace rooted in peace and inclusion allows everyone to thrive.
Collaboration Over Competition: The myth that there’s only room for a few women at the top hurts all of us. Instead of competing, we should share knowledge, create opportunities, and push each other forward. When we foster a culture of support and inclusion, we create spaces where we all can feel empowered to succeed.
From Words to Action: Breaking Barriers Together
Change isn’t just driven from the top—it starts with each of us taking small yet meaningful actions to uplift women everywhere. Here’s what we can do:
Amplify Other Women: Share their work, credit their ideas, and recommend them for opportunities.
Offer Mentorship and Sponsorship: If you’ve navigated challenges, help the next woman up.
Be the Change Where You Are: Advocate for better policies, push for more representation, and create inclusive and peaceful spaces in your teams.
Building an Inclusive Future Together
This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond hashtags and symbolic gestures. Let’s turn visibility into opportunity, mentorship into sponsorship, and conversations into action.
Women deserve more than celebration—we need lasting change, unwavering support, and real opportunities to lead in spaces that truly embrace inclusivity and belonging.
The time for change is now—because accelerating action starts with us.
Maliha
Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.
