Now more than ever, International Women’s Day goes beyond performative poses; it is an urgent reminder of the work ahead.
Every March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a moment to cheer for how far we’ve come. But let’s be real—we’re also reminded of how much further we need to go.
This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, is not just another catchy phrase; it’s a battle cry. And as Marie Claire Nigeria’s Fashion & Beauty, and Lifestyle & Culture Editors, we are here to unpack what this means for us, especially in a country like Nigeria, where being a woman still feels like a full-time survival job.
The Day! — Ebun, Fashion & Beauty Editor
For centuries, women have been silenced, dehumanised, oppressed, killed and treated as less. International Women’s Day is crucial to reflect on our achievements as women and, more importantly, how far we’ve come.
As we continue to embrace gender equality and oppose gender disparity, we still face a plethora of challenges that we must overcome as women. According to the World Economic Forum, if we maintain our current pace, we will not reach full gender parity until 2158.
International Women’s Day is fundamental in educating and raising awareness for women, encouraging positive advancement, enhancing fund-raising activities for women charities, and celebrating women’s achievements.
Why today matters — Inem, Lifestyle & Culture Editor
International Women’s Day is more than just Instagram tributes and well-meaning corporate campaigns. It’s a reminder that while women globally fight for equal pay, reproductive rights, and workplace equity. Nigerian women still struggle with the most basic of rights —to be heard, seen, and protected.
We don’t just want progress; we demand safety. We don’t just want representation; we demand power. And if you need a painful reminder of why this day still matters, look no further than the ongoing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan story. The first elected female senator from Kogi State is standing her ground and fighting rape culture in a country where women in power are often met with resistance, intimidation, and outright misogyny. If that’s not proof that the fight isn’t even close to being over, I don’t know what is.
What Accelerate Action means
Ebun: There are obvious indications that women’s rights have evolved, and we are not where we used to be. However, we are not quite where we need to be either. We still face serious challenges, such as underrepresentation.
According to Uniform market, women are the biggest consumers of fast fashion. But women are still grossly underrepresented in leadership positions and on global stages. For instance, in the recently concluded London Fashion Week, there were about 60 shows, but only two UK-based black female designers showcased.
Underrepresentation statistics are alarming. In their report, Nextail (a retail merchandising firm) revealed that over 75% of incoming Fashion industry CEOs in 2021 were male.
Apart from executive leadership positions, generally, women in fashion struggle generally. Although there has been better representation of women of colour on runways, plus-sized women and women with disabilities are still grossly underrepresented. This, coupled with unrealistic body imagery in advertisements, has contributed to body dysmorphia and low self-esteem. Fashion should empower women of all body types and colour. It should be the ultimate expression and not suppression.
If we do not increase momentum in improving activism towards better representation of women, we might face a decline in the considerable progress we have made over the years.
Inem: I think we’ve been patient for far too long. We’ve attended the panels, signed the petitions, and listened to the endless promises of change. Accelerate Action means we’re done waiting. It’s about shattering the culture of silence and demanding real, measurable progress.
This theme is a reminder to refuse to be sidelined, whether in politics, boardrooms, or creative industries. It’s about pushing for legislative reforms that protect women from gender-based violence, ensuring equal pay isn’t just a dream, and holding institutions accountable when they fail us.
Accelerate Action for International Women’s Day is about pushing forward—hard, fast, and unapologetically. It is breaking free from restrictive narratives with urgency. And the full understanding that our futures depend on it.
Why “Accelerate Action” matters
Ebun: Accelerate Action means being more intentional about women’s rights and gender parity. Thus far, we have been settling for the barest minimum. Society seems content with the facade of gender equality. And companies are now viewed as embracing gender equality if they simply employ more women or place a few in leadership positions.
Unfortunately, if women remain underpaid despite holding similar leadership positions to men, this undermines the essence of gender equality. Or if important top-level events and activities still underrepresent women.
If women do not see fashion and style as a safe haven to express themselves regardless of how they look, our progress has been set back by decades.
It is important to increase the pace of gender parity so that women are less marginalised. Women need to wield true power and not just empty positions. They must carve out, dominate, and own platforms that help them thrive and grow. This is why Accelerate Action matters: to encourage true gender parity and discourage the facade of it.
Inem: I am tired. I know Nigerian women are tired as well. We’re exhausted from screaming about the same injustices year after year. Gender-based violence is still rampant, and society still treats women in leadership as anomalies instead of the norm. Let’s not even start with social media, where harassment and misogyny are so normalised that they might as well be a national sport.
Accelerate Action demands tangible change and policies that protect women, not just hashtags that trend for 24 hours. We’re talking about supporting women-led businesses, holding institutions accountable, and refusing to let perpetrators of abuse hide behind power and male privilege.
The role of the media in Accelerating Action
Ebun: I recognise the essence of media in accelerating action. Through the stories we tell and the voices we uplift, we shape perceptions of the reality of gender equality and the challenges women face.
Representation alone is not all that matters. Going beyond aesthetics, we must tell purposeful stories of women leading fashion, beauty and tech, and amplify their voices so they can fearlessly tell their stories. This is the purpose behind impactful issues like the “Power Issue” from Marie Claire Nigeria. We believe in promoting action and fostering active gender parity through the media.
Inem: I know stories shape reality. What we report, whom we give a platform, and how we frame narratives directly influence how society perceives women’s rights and realities. We have to go beyond surface-level feminism and start centring real struggles, real victories, and real calls to action and intersectionality.
Accelerating action for this International Women’s Day looks like amplifying voices like Senator Natasha’s, holding alleged perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that women aren’t just footnotes in history but main characters. It means questioning beauty standards that tell women they have to look a certain way to be valued, and it means dismantling the idea that powerful women are “too much” or “too ambitious.” It means standing up for women—loudly, consistently, and fearlessly. And I plan to keep doing my part in the fight.
Beyond words: Accelerating Action
Ebun: I see us holding brands accountable for performative feminism. We must continue to support female-founded businesses, mentor young women, and create proper opportunities for them to thrive. We are making longer strides because we are demanding real change — now, not in 2158.
Inem: I believe we risk being pushed back if we don’t push forward. We simply can’t afford to let Accelerate Action become another forgotten theme. So, what can you do? Support women-led businesses. Call out sexism when you see it, online and offline. Vote for women. Demand better laws. Support platforms that tell our stories the right way. And if you have a voice — whether it’s 1,000 followers on IG or a magazine column — use it. Loudly. Consistently. Fearlessly. Because Nigerian women deserve more than just words: We deserve action. And we want it now.
