After more than 15 years in leadership roles within women’s empowerment associations, I find myself revisiting what that term truly means in today’s context. In 2025, with Women’s Day’s theme boldly calling us to “Accelerate Change,” it feels timely to reflect on the evolution of empowerment, and the stories we continue to tell ourselves.
We’ve fought. Hard. For equality in the workplace, education, leadership, sports. And while the fight isn’t over, equal recognition in sport remains one of our unfinished battles, we’ve undeniably shifted the landscape. In many communities, women now have greater access to funding, education, recognition and support than ever before.
This isn’t to suggest that awareness isn’t needed, of course it is. We must keep that flame burning. But I believe it’s time we moved beyond a narrative of disadvantage. If we keep reinforcing the idea that we are struggling simply because we’re women, we risk holding onto a crutch that no longer serves us.
In fact, I look around at our local environment and see women thriving. I see systems that were created to level the playing field many of which are now tipping in our favour. I see daughters who don’t see a man’s world; they see their world. If they do feel disempowered, perhaps it’s because of the stories we’ve passed down.
This year, I choose a different tone. I choose to work hard, deliver on my promise, support the women beside me, and remain unapologetically myself – a woman. I’m not trying to be a man. And I’m certainly not expected to be.
Yes, I still encounter the occasional dismissive comment or subtle exclusion, sometimes intentional, sometimes not. But I don’t stand silently. I own my advocacy voice. I challenge. I educate. I protect the gains our trailblazing foremothers fought for.
Let’s use these moments such as Women’s Day, not as proof of systemic weakness, but as opportunities to keep awareness alive and direct change forward. But let’s stop using them as an excuse. We are not victims of our past. We are architects of the future.
This Women’s Day, as we accelerate change, I challenge us to rewrite the empowerment narrative. Let’s shift from explaining why we deserve a seat at the table to simply taking it and redesigning the table altogether.
As always, my Women’s Day post is dedicated to my daughter who turns 18 this year, and I remind her she must live up to her name: Alyx, “Defender of the People,” symbolizing strength, bravery, and leadership.