In 2025, the United Nations marks 50 years since adopting Clara Zerkin’s idea to celebrate International Women’s Day, a concept first introduced in 1911. More importantly, it is also the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action when world leaders promised equal rights, opportunities, power, and safety for women and girls everywhere.

While progress has been made, gender equality and women’s empowerment remain urgent priorities requiring accelerated action. The world cannot wait for another 30 years to fulfil the promise of gender equality.

The third edition of the Fidem Women’s Day Conference explored strategies to dismantle structural inequalities – such as unequal pay, limited education access, work-life balance, and underrepresentation in leadership – while focusing on long-term solutions.

Key topics included advancing women’s economic empowerment in industry, education, sports, arts, and culture.

The conference also tackled the ever-present issue of domestic violence and the delays in the justice system which continue to cost lives. Stigma and untreated trauma heighten vulnerabilities which affect the mental health of victims and their families.