Accelerate Action – International Women’s Day 2025
7 March 2025
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is ‘Accelerate Action’, focusing on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional spheres.
One of the best ways to create gender equality is to understand what works and to do more of it. It’s important to acknowledge the strategies that positively impact women’s advancements and support their implementation. Significant barriers to equality remain, but with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere.
Accelerating Action
Everyone has their own personal experiences and what equality looks like to them. As a traditionally male-dominated sector, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to highlight the voices of women from across our industry. We spoke to women from across our certification schemes to find out what Accelerate Action means to them.
Annette, HR/H&S & Accounts Manager, Lincs Firewood Company
It means driving/pushing forward to achieve equality for women, and even though we have come a long way, we still have a mountain to climb in order to achieve this. I was a teacher, but in 2020 I completed my IOSH training and trained to be an accountant. I work on a predominantly male yard, but I feel extremely valued and respected by my colleagues. I am forklift trained, I carry coal bags and I will totally involve myself in any jobs, where the men need some help. In exchange, they always offer to help me and the respect works both ways. I am one of the lucky ones: I work with a fabulous group of people and together we make an strong team. However, I know that this is not the case in many workplaces/industries and we need to speed up the process of ensuring we change this.
Annette, HR/H&S & Accounts Manager, Lincs Firewood Company
It means driving/pushing forward to achieve equality for women, and even though we have come a long way, we still have a mountain to climb in order to achieve this. I was a teacher, but in 2020 I completed my IOSH training and trained to be an accountant. I work on a predominantly male yard, but I feel extremely valued and respected by my colleagues. I am forklift trained, I carry coal bags and I will totally involve myself in any jobs, where the men need some help. In exchange, they always offer to help me and the respect works both ways. I am one of the lucky ones: I work with a fabulous group of people and together we make an strong team. However, I know that this is not the case in many workplaces/industries and we need to speed up the process of ensuring we change this.
Betsy, Social Media Manager, Bristol Firewood
For me, ‘Accelerate Action’ is about using social media to make firewood more accessible and interesting for everyone not just your seasoned buyers. As a woman in a traditionally maledominated space, I focus on showing the people behind the business, educating customers, and breaking down barriers to entry. Through content and storytelling, I connect businesses with consumers and inspire new audiences to take action whether that’s choosing sustainable firewood, learning how to get the best burn, or simply appreciating what goes on behind the scenes!
Betsy, Social Media Manager, Bristol Firewood
For me, ‘Accelerate Action’ is about using social media to make firewood more accessible and interesting for everyone not just your seasoned buyers. As a woman in a traditionally maledominated space, I focus on showing the people behind the business, educating customers, and breaking down barriers to entry. Through content and storytelling, I connect businesses with consumers and inspire new audiences to take action whether that’s choosing sustainable firewood, learning how to get the best burn, or simply appreciating what goes on behind the scenes!
