Accelerating Action: Beyond Conversations, Towards Financial Empowerment for Women

Introduction

The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action. For me, this theme isn’t just a slogan—it’s a deeply personal call to reflect on what I’m doing to drive real, tangible change. It’s about asking: How can I stop waiting for systemic change and instead create opportunities for others? How can I move beyond conversations and step into meaningful action?
Patriarchy isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a system that holds women back in both visible and invisible ways. While raising awareness is important, change really starts when we empower women financially—when we create pathways for them to succeed. In my journey as a woman entrepreneur, I’ve seen this firsthand. Let me share some stories that have shaped my perspective and offer practical steps we can take together to accelerate action.

Story #1: A Woman-Owned Business That Thrived with Support A few years ago, I met Lisa, a young entrepreneur running a small eco-friendly home goods brand. Lisa was passionate about her products but struggled with visibility and scaling her business. What made the difference? People like you and me. Her customers spread the word, fellow entrepreneurs mentored her, and one investor believed in her enough to provide the capital she needed to grow. Today, Lisa’s products are featured in major retail stores, and her business is thriving. I’ve often wondered: How many Lisas are out there, brimming with potential but waiting for someone to open a door or make an introduction? Supporting women-owned businesses isn’t just about buying a product; it’s about being part of their success story. The next time you make a purchase, ask yourself: Can I choose a woman-owned business? Then go a step further—recommend them, share their story, and amplify their work.

Story #2: The Power of Mentorship in Advancing Women In one of my previous roles, I worked with Sarah, a brilliant woman who had incredible leadership potential but often hesitated to speak up in meetings. Her ideas were there, but her confidence was shaky. I made it a point to mentor her—not just on strategy but on trusting her own voice. Over time, Sarah transformed. She began contributing actively and became a driving force in several key projects. Today, she’s a leader in her own right, mentoring others and paying it forward. This experience reminded me that mentorship is about more than guidance. It’s about truly seeing someone’s potential and helping them see it too. Who in your circle could use your encouragement or sponsorship? Be the person who opens doors and says, “You’ve got this.”

Story #3: The Courage to Act in Everyday Situations A colleague once shared a story about a high-profile project her team was managing. During the vendor selection process, a woman- owned business was being dismissed due to assumptions about their capacity—even though their track record was stellar. My colleague could’ve stayed quiet, but instead, she spoke up. She advocated for giving that business a chance, and they delivered exceptional results. Her courage wasn’t easy. It required her to push back in a room full of skeptics. But it made a difference. Don’t underestimate the power of speaking up. If you’re in a position to create opportunities for women, take it—even if it feels uncomfortable.

Story #4: Social Media’s Role in Visibility I’ll be honest—it frustrates me when I see a woman post about a major professional milestone, and it gets far less engagement than, say, a casual post about her vacation. Algorithms follow our behavior, and if we don’t engage with meaningful content, we’re teaching them to prioritize fluff over substance. Social media is a powerful tool, but we have to use it intentionally. Imagine the impact if we all made a habit of liking, commenting on, and sharing posts about women’s accomplishments. Scroll with purpose. Celebrate women’s achievements online and help them gain the visibility they deserve.

Story #5: The Importance of Peer Support We talk a lot about supporting women leaders and influencers, but how often do we support the women working right alongside us? I once spoke to Laura, a peer who shared how isolated she felt because people seemed to prioritize high- profile names over grassroots contributors. Her words hit me. We’re all in this together, and peer support is just as critical as cheering for the trailblazers. We don’t need to compete with one another—we need to collaborate. We don’t just need a few women at the top; we need all women to rise. Take a moment to celebrate a peer. Share their work, give them a shoutout, and let them know
their efforts matter.

Story #6: The Energy We Spend on the Wrong Things How much time do we spend obsessing over things outside our control? Whether it’s the latest scandal involving a public figure or hours spent researching shiny objects that don’t add value to our lives, we’re wasting precious energy. Meanwhile, the very people who benefit from our attention—brands, influencers, public figures—are profiting while we’re losing time.

What if we redirected that energy toward creating opportunities for ourselves and others? What if we focused on building something meaningful instead of obsessing over distractions?

Ask yourself: Where is my energy going? And more importantly, how can I use it to support someone who needs it?

Building a Framework for Action

So, how do we accelerate action? Here’s what I’ve learned, and here’s what I believe we can do:

1. Support Women Financially:

• Buy from women-owned businesses.
• Invest in women-led startups.
• Advocate for pay equity and fair compensation in your workplace.

2. Champion Women in the Workplace:

• Speak up for equitable hiring and promotion practices.
• Mentor and sponsor women to help them advance.
• Create opportunities for women to take on leadership roles.

3. Reimagine Social Media Engagement:

• Engage with posts celebrating women’s accomplishments to teach algorithms what matters.
• Share stories of women creators, leaders, and innovators.

4. Foster Peer Support:

• Encourage collaboration, not competition, among women.
• Create networks where peers actively uplift one another.
• Acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of women at every level, not just those in high-profile roles.

5. Build Financial Literacy and Confidence:

• Equip women with tools to manage their finances and investments.
• Normalize financial conversations and provide access to resources for women entrepreneurs.

The Ripple Effect of Financial Empowerment

Financial success isn’t just about individual gain—it’s about creating a ripple effect. When women are financially empowered, they invest in their families, communities, and other women. Economies grow, societal structures shift, and systemic barriers start to crumble.

This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond discussions and symbolism. Let’s act. Whether it’s supporting a woman-owned business, mentoring a colleague, or engaging with meaningful content, every action counts. What’s one bold action you’ll take today to support financial empowerment for women? Share it below, and let’s inspire each other to accelerate action. Together, we can create a world where women thrive, not just survive.

-Deepa Kartha is the founder of Journyz, a B2B SaaS company offering a SuperApp platform.