Why International Women’s Day Matters

Top left: Karla Smith, chief financial officer, Charlie Ryder, MD Ogilvy One, Mabinty Taylor-Kamara, junior creative,  Lucy Hutchinson, head of consumer PR, bottom left: Hannah White, MD, NCA, Shelina Janmohamed, director of consumer equality, Laura Sherwood, chief people officer, Rachel Porter, influence creative strategy lead.

Karla Smith, chief finance officer: International Women's day gives us a chance to reflect on and celebrate the brilliant strides we have made to promote gender equality in the workplace. It's also a great time to think about how to continue pushing that legacy to break down barriers and take new steps forward. There is always more we can do to help our women and women in society shine and thrive and I'm thrilled to be part of an agency that leads the way.

Charlie Ryder, MD Ogilvy One: International Women's Day is more than just a celebration; it's a call to action. We’re striving for equality, recognition, and opportunity. Let's celebrate our strength and achievements, but let's also use this day to serve as a reminder that there’s still important work to be done.

Mabinty Taylor-Kamara, junior creative: International Women’s day is a day to celebrate who I am. I’m a young professional, a creative, a writer, but before all of that, I’m a woman. So, it’s inspiring to see the accomplishments, the passion and the confidence of other women, those within my network and those I admire from afar around the world.

Lucy Hutchinson, head of consumer PR: International Women's Day is an opportunity to remember that action must be the focus. For brands, having a clear point of view and a mission to drive tangible change is vital. Our advice to clients is to lean into what they can do to shape the future for women - and if that's not there, it's not right to engage at all.

Hannah White, MD, NCA: We live in a world where women own less than a fifth of businesses. Where the gender pay gap is ever present in our industry and beyond. Where having children disproportionately affects women’s careers. Where only 24% of creative directors are female. So while we’ve come a long way, IWD is a reminder to me that we must continue to push and make our voices heard.

Shelina Janmohamed, director of consumer equality: I love the joyful, energetic vibe of International Women’s Day—when women and men come together to wish each other a happy day, celebrating our lives, contributions, and passions. But celebration alone isn’t enough; there’s still so much more to do. For me, the clue is in my title: ‘Director of Consumer Equality.’ My work is about building equality for everyone we serve—including, perhaps dearest to my heart, women. Every woman and girl deserves the right to thrive with equal treatment and opportunity. As someone who has spent my career championing diverse voices and challenging stereotypes, I believe that each of us has a role to play in driving progress. International Women’s Day isn’t just another date on the cultural calendar—it’s an assertion that the journey continues. It’s a powerful reminder that we can—and must—create a world where equality isn’t just an aspiration but a reality for all.

Laura Sherwood, chief people officer: IWD is so important on so many levels both to me personally, as a working mother to a young daughter and within my role as CPO within Ogilvy . It is an opportunity to take stock, for us to take a moment to celebrate and to come together as a community, to celebrate our successes and achievements, and to look at how we can empower, drive, support and learn from each other and for future generations. From a personal engagement perspective, I have had the opportunity on IWD to attend events, sessions that have empowered and inspired me on my own career journey, as well as being able to be on panels where I have helped to inspire others... 

IWD is also a great driver to take a pause and to stop to raise awareness/remind of women's issues and challenges that we face for equality not only in the workplace but on a personal level. However, IWD is only a day, and we need to remain steadfast to work together within our community and with our allies to drive equality, opportunity and change.

Rachel Porter, influence creative strategy lead: Influence is a female-dominated industry, from the workforce to the creators. With little but an unrelated degree and unwavering passion when I first started, the women around me have helped me become the professional I am today. I like to use IWD as an opportunity to reflect on those incredible women and look to the next generation of women who I can support myself.

Antonia Betts, PR lead, Ogilvy Health: International Women's Day isn't just about celebrating women, it's about acting on the health inequalities they face. That means directly addressing disparities in access, research, and care. It’s estimated that closing the gender health gap could add $1 trillion to the global economy annually so it’s both the right and the smart thing to do. The gender health gap is fuelled by stigma. For instance, studies show that women with endometriosis experience an average delay of seven-10 years between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, often due to stigma and lack of awareness. On International Women's Day, let's pledge to listen, learn, and advocate for better understanding and support for women's health.