On International Women’s Day (IWD), IFSW standing in solidarity with women and girls around the world, celebrates their achievements, and joins the call for action on discrimination, gender based violence and inequality. IFSW also recognises that the majority of social workers around the world are women and the calls for equality and rights on IWD impact directly on women working in social work around the world.
For over 100 years, International Women’s Day (IWD) has called for action on equality and celebrated the achievements of women and girls around the world. In 2025, this day of action and recognition is as important as ever. IFSW urges social workers everywhere to support and promote the IWD call to Accelerate Action on gender equality.
At the current rate of change in global rights for women and girls, economic and social parity for women will take another five generations, according to the World Economic Forum. Even this may be optimistic as forward momentum towards full human and social rights for women and girls is not inevitable. Right now, we see the global resurgence of authoritarian politics, ideologies and ‘culture wars’ in many countries that are turning back progress on the rights of women and girls, undermining efforts to end gender-based violence and restricting access to healthcare, bodily self-determination, education and economic opportunities. We see the terrible impact on women and girls in armed conflict around the world. And we know that women and girls disproportionately bear the burdens of poverty and inequality across societies.
But solidarity and collective effort for women’s rights globally is powerful and growing. Individuals, organisations and international bodies are working tirelessly to overcome gender discrimination and to celebrate women and girls. We can all join this effort.
As social workers, we can take action on the IWD themes 2025 – Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls, Promoting Gender Equality and Fostering Empowerment. Social workers have a key role in tackling inequality, discrimination and harm, and promoting the achievements and strengths of women and girls. We can do this in our day-to-day practice with individuals, families and communities. We can do it through local and nation policy work, advocacy and activism. And we can have impact through research, writing and other communications across the profession and beyond.
IWD is an important moment for all of us concerned with universal human and social rights to connect around such shared values and perspectives, and to take action. We can all take steps in our daily lives to positively impact women’s advancement, to take action in whatever ways we can and fuel the power of collective action.
This IFSW Global Statement was prepared by Ruth Allen, the IFSW President of the European Region.