When Women Move Ahead, The World Moves With Them
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Every year, International Women’s Day brings a pause. A moment to look at how far women have come. And also where the road is going. Today, women are not just trying to fit into old roles. Many are shaping their own path. At home, at work, and in public life.
A young bride today enters marriage a little differently than before. She is not just a partner in the household. She carries her own plans, work, and voice. In offices too, women are no longer waiting quietly for space. They are building companies, managing teams, and taking charge of their careers. Fashion designer Rachel J Amirtharaj, founder of La Fantaisie, says this shift is visible in everyday life.
“Women’s Day is an occasion to recognise how far women have progressed and how confidently they are defining what comes next,” she says. “Across sectors and communities, women are moving beyond merely fitting into tradition. They are choosing how to honour it while shaping their own identities.”
She points out that government programmes around financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and skills have helped many women step forward. According to her, when society supports women’s growth, the gains are shared by everyone. “When a woman rises, she expands possibilities for the generations that follow,” Amirtharaj says.
This year’s Women’s Day theme, “Give To Gain,” carries a simple idea. When people invest in women’s opportunities, the results multiply. In workplaces, that support often begins with something small. Recognition. Fair credit. Honest feedback.
Stella Joshua, Senior Director HR for APJ at EverPure, says giving space to women at work can change how organisations grow. “Giving is not a subtraction. It is intentional multiplication,” she says. “When we give visibility and stand for truth, we gain stronger ideas and better decisions.”
Joshua notes that women often pay what she calls a “politeness tax”. They apologise too often or soften their voice in meetings. “When women are encouraged to drop that habit and speak with confidence, organisations gain powerful leaders,” she says.
The same thinking is now shaping the technology sector. As artificial intelligence becomes part of daily work, many companies say women must not be left behind in the next wave of change.
Anjali Sharma, Vice President HR and Global Head of Learning and Development at Fulcrum Digital, says the focus should be on skills and access. “When organisations invest in mentorship, learning and equal growth pathways for women, the returns are strong,” she says. “Innovation improves. Teams become more resilient.”
For Sharma, the rise of artificial intelligence makes this even more urgent. Women must be trained to lead and master new tools, not just use them. Across industries, leaders say inclusion is no longer just a social message. It is a business need.
Anuj Khurana, Co-founder and CEO of Anaptyss, says companies that welcome diverse voices tend to move faster. “Inclusive leadership is no longer optional,” he says. “The organisations that will lead in an AI-driven future are those that bring different perspectives to the table.”
Khurana believes the next step is building workplaces where women have real access to leadership paths, not just representation on paper. The journey also begins earlier. In classrooms, internships, and first jobs.
Rakhoi Pal, Co-founder and COO of EventBeep, says young women need exposure to real industry experiences. “True progress happens when opportunity is not limited to those with the right networks,” she says. “Mentorship, training and practical exposure help women enter the workforce with stronger confidence.”
When that happens, she adds, leadership begins to expand in ways that benefit everyone. And perhaps that is the real meaning behind Women’s Day. Not just celebration. But a reminder. When women are given space to grow, they do not rise alone. They pull the future with them.
