IWD: Despite Progress, the Journey Remains Uneven and Incomplete

It's International Women's Day. Cue the corporate fanfare, the hastily assembled diversity panels, and the well-rehearsed speeches about progress. Another year of performative activism that threatens to turn meaningful conversation into corporate window dressing.

This day has become a two-week sprint of brands frantically proving they've "done their homework". Suddenly, everyone's an expert on gender equality, rolling out carefully curated narratives of empowerment that conveniently disappear come March 15th. It's the corporate equivalent of changing your profile picture – a momentary gesture that feels more about optics than actual change.

But here's the thing. Behind the performative veneer, real experiences are happening. Real people are navigating workplaces, challenging assumptions, and slowly – sometimes imperceptibly – shifting cultures.

My career began in construction – an industry that, let's face it, still carries a bit of that homogenous 'boys' club' culture. While I gained valuable practical experience there, I wasn't exactly in my element. Moving to out-of-home advertising has brought a welcome change – different projects, different atmosphere, and a refreshing shift in workplace dynamics.

The work itself is surprisingly tangible. Unlike some digital roles where impact can feel abstract, OOH advertising exists in the real world. One day I'm analysing a tube campaign, the next I'm discussing audience insights with media owners. There's a practical energy to the work that keeps things interesting. 'OH, that's one of ours' has become my trademark eye-roll inducing commentary to anyone with the misfortune of accompanying me on a commute.

What's surprised me most is the variety of potential career paths. With technology and creative approaches constantly evolving, there's no single 'right' way to progress. It feels more like an open field where skills can be transferred, and interests can grow. Indeed, what surprised me was how data-driven the role actually is. Beyond the creative surface, there's a sophisticated layer of research and targeting that I hadn't expected. The agency provides tools that let us move beyond traditional advertising approaches, finding more nuanced ways to reach audiences through a medium that's traditionally been hard to pinpoint.

This year's International Women's Day theme of Accelerate Action resonates deeply as I reflect on the broader landscape of women's workplace experiences. The call to action acknowledges an uncomfortable truth: despite real progress in many sectors, the journey remains uneven and incomplete.

Conversations with friends across different industries reveal a complex mosaic of experiences. A friend in corporate sales recently confided how she still struggles to be taken seriously among her predominantly male colleagues – her ideas scrutinized more heavily, her authority questioned more frequently. Her frustrations echo my own from my construction days, where technical knowledge was often assumed missing until proven otherwise.

The subtleties of these challenges can be particularly telling. Another friend – a paralegal – admitted she avoids wearing certain outfits to work, convinced that appearing "too feminine" would undermine her credibility with clients and colleagues alike.

These aren't isolated anecdotes but symptoms of persistent undercurrents that many workplaces have yet to fully address. What makes "Accelerate Action" so pertinent is precisely this recognition: awareness alone isn't enough. Policies alone aren't enough. We need sustained action that transforms workplace cultures at their foundations, creating environments where professional capability isn't filtered through antiquated assumptions.

My six months in advertising have shown me what's possible in a supportive professional environment. I've been fortunate to join a company where inclusion feels genuine rather than performative – a place where I've been welcomed into meetings from the start, where my perspective is actively sought, and where I see women represented at all levels. What stands out isn't grand gestures or special programs, but the everyday interactions that make you feel part of a team. It's about seeing diverse career paths and recognizing that professional journeys can be varied and individual. These may seem like small things, but they create an environment where you can focus on the work itself rather than navigating unnecessary barriers. As we think about Accelerating Action, perhaps it's these consistent, daily practices that ultimately make the biggest difference. That's something worth celebrating – not just on International Women's Day, but every day.