On 8 March every year, the world is invited to stand still and celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). For over a century, IWD has honoured, recognised, and amplified the achievements of women – and 2025 will be no exception.
Under the international campaign theme of ‘Accelerate Action’, this year’s IWD calls on collective action towards gender equality, emphasising the importance of taking considered action to achieve this goal. According to the World Economic Forum, full gender parity at the current rate of progress likely won’t be achieved until at least 2158. For perspective, that’s five generations into the future.
Given the increasing importance women have in all aspects of modern society, that figure highlights the need for greater urgency in collective steps towards gender parity. IWD celebrations around the globe will unpack and reiterate the importance of accelerating action. This year’s theme will push for increased momentum and urgency toward addressing systemic barriers and biases faced daily by women, in both personal and professional environments.
2025 marks 30 years since the world committed to the bold vision of gender equality outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in September 1995, the Declaration adopted a set of principles concerning the equality of men and women. These principles included ‘the full implementation of the human rights of women and of the girl child as an inalienable, integral, and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.’
Furthermore, the Declaration also stated a global commitment toward ‘the empowerment and advancement of women, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief.’
In the 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, significant progress has been made with women breaking barriers, reshaping policies, and igniting global movements. Despite this, the world remains far from where it needs to be regarding gender equality.
In Australia, IWD will also be celebrated under the theme ‘March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls’, reinforcing the initiative’s mission to drive progress. As stated on the UN Women Australia website, ‘the world cannot afford a step back’.
Such an initiative is vitally important for the chiropractic profession, as well as the wider healthcare sector, due to the increasing role female practitioners are playing in shaping the future. Roughly three-quarters of professionals in the health sector are female, while 50% of all enrolment in chiropractic university courses reportedly being female.
With women shaping as key players in the profession’s future, it is important women in chiropractic are supported to stand up in their values and uphold their rights. According to Dr Alison Young, Chair of the Women in Chiropractic Committee, this can take many forms, including:
- Creating pathways for women to explore their leadership potential.
- Leveraging AI, collaboration, and remote work to support women in stepping into leadership roles.
- Offering flexible leadership opportunities.
- Enhancing the skills of women with leadership potential through technology.
A strong commitment to female leadership and empowerment is essential for the future of the chiropractic profession. Equally important is ensuring that this commitment extends far beyond 8 March.
To celebrate IWD, ACA’s Women in Chiropractic group will host a Seminar: In Her Element at Melbourne’s Stamford Plaza. It promises to be a day of education, connection, and inspiration, featuring talks from Drs Nicole Bijlsma, Genevieve Keating, and Katherine Moss, before an open-forum discussion on topics such as gender-based challenges and work-life balance.
For more information, and to register your interest, visit: chiropractors.org.au/event/wic-seminar-in-her-element