Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025. Break barriers, empower women and drive change in leadership, sports, climate action and equality.
International Women’s Day 2025:
March 8, 2025, is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a global movement for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment. While progress has been made in various fields, many barriers still prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.
This International Women’s Day (IWD), we shine a light on the challenges, struggles and achievements of women around the world, focusing on climate action, leadership, sports and women’s rights in Iraq.
Women & Climate Action:
Leading the Fight for a Sustainable Future Climate change affects everyone, but women and girls bear the heaviest burden. Studies show that women are 14 times more likely to die in extreme weather events due to limited mobility, lack of resources, and exclusion from decision-making.
Additionally, 80% of climate refugees are women and girls, forced to flee their homes due to droughts, floods, and natural disasters.
Women as Agents of Change
Despite being the most affected, women are stepping up as leaders in climate action. Around the world, women are leading:
✅ Reforestation projects to restore ecosystems
✅ Renewable energy initiatives providing sustainable power
✅ Disaster preparedness programs to protect communities
For example, in Bangladesh, where rising sea levels threaten homes, women-led cooperatives are developing floating farms to grow food despite floods. In Africa, women are installing solar panels in villages, bringing electricity to areas previously in darkness.
Empowering women in climate action is not just an option. It is a necessity. When given the resources and leadership roles, women create innovative, long-lasting solutions that benefit entire communities.
Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers in Coaching and Leadership
Sports have long been a male-dominated industry, especially in coaching and leadership roles. Even though women’s sports have gained popularity, the number of female coaches remains extremely low.
Challenges Female Coaches Face
- Lack of Opportunities: Most coaching positions are held by men, and hiring managers often prefer male coaches.
- Gender Bias: Many believe men are naturally better leaders in sports, making it harder for female coaches to gain respect.
- Lack of Role Models: Without visible female coaches, fewer young women consider coaching as a career.
- Higher Expectations: Female coaches often face harsher criticism and must prove themselves more than men.
Numbers Show the Reality
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, only 13% of coaches were women. At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, only one-third of the teams had female coaches. This lack of representation limits opportunities for women in sports.
How Can We Increase Female Representation in Coaching?
Support programs that train female coaches. Initiatives like the Women in Sport High-Performance Program (WISH) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) help women gain coaching experience.
Encourage female athletes to transition into coaching. Former players have the skills to lead teams but often lack pathways into coaching.
Hold sports organizations accountable. Leagues and clubs should commit to hiring more female coaches and offer leadership development programs.
Progress is Happening
Helen Nkwocha, who made history by coaching a men’s professional football team in Europe, is paving the way for other women. Tamara Taylor, a former rugby player, is now a coach developer, inspiring more women to take on leadership roles. The goal? A future where coaching is based on talent, not gender.
Empowering Women in Iraq: Advancing Rights, Expanding Opportunities
Women in Iraq have long played a crucial role in shaping their nation’s identity and culture. However, gender inequality, violence, and economic barriers continue to limit opportunities for many Iraqi women and girls.
Iraq has made significant progress in promoting women’s rights and increasing their participation in various sectors. One of the key achievements is meeting the quotas for women’s political participation, which has led to more women holding government positions.
Additionally, the country has adopted national strategies aimed at advancing women’s rights, ensuring better protection, and creating equal opportunities. A major step forward is the launch of the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, which focuses on protecting women from violence and increasing their role in leadership and decision-making.
Even with these developments, there are still many issues that must be resolved. Violence against women remains a serious issue, and existing laws require further strengthening to provide better protection against domestic abuse and other forms of violence.
Another major concern is the low participation of women in the workforce. Many women face cultural and economic barriers that limit their access to employment opportunities. Additionally, underrepresentation in decision-making roles remains a challenge, as women still struggle to gain equal power in political and business sectors.
Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations has pledged to support Iraq in further empowering women, ensuring their rights are protected, and creating more opportunities for them to thrive in all aspects of life.
How to Support Women in Iraq
Promote legal reforms to ensure stronger protections for women. Encourage women’s participation in business and leadership. Support educational programs to equip women with the skills they need for economic independence. Every woman in Iraq deserves the chance to thrive, lead, and build a secure future.
Take action for Women’s Empowerment:
International Women’s Day is not just a celebration; it is a movement for change. Everyone has a role to play in creating a world where women have equal opportunities and rights. One way to contribute is by supporting women-led businesses, choosing to buy from female entrepreneurs, and helping them grow economically.
Advocating for equal pay is another essential step, as pushing for fair wages and workplace equality ensures that women are not left behind in financial independence. Mentoring and uplifting young girls can inspire them to dream big, pursue leadership roles, and break barriers in various fields.
In the world of sports, promoting women in coaching and supporting female athletes can help challenge gender stereotypes and create more opportunities in a male-dominated industry. Additionally, donating or volunteering for women’s rights initiatives strengthens organizations that work toward gender equality, providing resources and support to women worldwide. Even small actions can drive meaningful progress, making society more inclusive and fair for everyone.
