At Medialab, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. This International Women’s Day (IWD), we reflected on the 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action”. Our fantastic panel was made up of, Victoria Usher, CEO and Founder of GingerMay, a strategic marketing and PR consultancy, Kate Waters, Director of Client Strategy & Commercial Marketing at ITV, leading advertising strategies and branded entertainment, Daren Rubins, Co-founder of Conker and former CEO of PHD UK, and Elizabeth Anyaegbuna, Co-founder of 16x9media, dedicated to TV and digital advertising and diversity advocacy. Our panel shared their insights on the progress, challenges, and tangible actions needed to achieve gender equality.
1. The Urgent Need to Accelerate Action
The theme for IWD 2025, “Accelerate Action,” is a call to push forward with greater urgency toward gender equality. While there has been a 5% increase in female representation in senior leadership, true gender parity remains over 130 years away, according to the World Economic Forum. This stark reality underscores the need for more than just conversations—real change requires action, particularly against the backdrop of DEI policies/initiatives being deprioritised.
Everyone has a role to play—from individuals advocating for themselves and others to organisations embedding inclusive practices into their culture. Whether it’s through mentorship, creating inclusive policies, or amplifying diverse voices, we must all take tangible steps to drive progress. As Kate put companies should “work like the world is watching”, and ensure inclusive action is woven into the fabric of your company’s culture, not something that is adopted for show.
2. Addressing Gender Bias and Workplace Inequality
Despite progress, women still face double standards in recruitment and professional growth. Daren and Victoria highlighted biases such as women being perceived as “too ambitious” or “too assertive”, traits that are often praised in their male counterparts.
Additionally, the value of female leadership styles is often overlooked. Daren continued that research shows women are more likely to be collaborative and solution-oriented, bringing unique strengths to businesses. Recognising and leveraging these qualities can foster stronger, more inclusive workplaces.
The critical role of coaching and mentorship, Victoria explains, helps women navigate challenges, build confidence, and position themselves as leaders. Organisations must proactively support women by providing clear pathways for growth and equal opportunities in hiring and promotion. Agreeing, Elizabeth notes that for Black women, accelerating action brings an additional set of challenges, as they often navigate both racial and gender biases in the workplace.
To create real, lasting change, it’s essential to acknowledge and address these layered experiences. One way to do this is by actively engaging in industry bodies and networks that champion intersectionality, such as Join our Table, which creates visibility and equity for Black women in advertising, media and marketing.
3. The Role of Allies in Creating Lasting Change
It should be no surprise that achieving gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue—it requires collective responsibility. The panel emphasised the importance of allies—especially men—using their influence to advocate for gender parity. This can range from small to large ripples of change. Kate recalled a small but memorable moment in her career, when noticing she was being repeatedly talked over, her male colleague called this out and ensured Kate’s expertise and opinion was heard.
The panellists shared what attributes make strong allies:
1. They speak up in meetings to ensure diverse perspectives are heard.
2. They mentor and sponsor women in their careers.
3. They challenge biases and workplace norms that perpetuate inequality.
Allies can create more inclusive environments by amplifying women’s voices, advocating for fair policies, and ensuring diverse representation at leadership tables. True progress happens when gender equality becomes a shared mission, not just a women-led initiative. As we move forward, let’s ensure that progress isn’t just celebrated on International Women’s Day but embedded in our daily commitments. The journey to gender equality is long, but together, we can make it happen—faster.
