Dear Friend,
We are on the cusp of March and with it, the global observance of International Women’s Day.
March is always a month of recognition, reflection, and renewed commitment as we celebrate what has been achieved in attaining equity for women and girls, and look ahead and strategise on what else remains to be done.
This year’s observance arrives against the backdrop of a deeply uncertain and shifting global landscape - one where the hard-won gains of women and marginalised communities seem to be facing mounting resistance - in legislative chambers, corporate boardrooms and amidst the toxic echo chambers of social media.
However the mission inherent in March signals to us that the work needed to advance the economic empowerment and social upliftment of women and girls, goes beyond a single day and beyond hashtags and speeches.
Besides being the month of International Women’s Day, March is Women’s History Month and represents an opportunity to draw strength and inspiration from the past as we navigate the present and shape the future.
History teaches us that progress has never been handed to us; it has been seized through perseverance, adaptability, and most crucially, solidarity. Women have always built pathways forward, whether by making common cause across movements, investing in one another, or simply refusing to be erased.
Shirley Chisholm said, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
It is rightfully, one of the most famous quotes from the long-time congresswoman who was the first woman to run for the presidential nomination of a major party in the United States.
As we continue to fight for influence at the table, the realities we face are reminders of the power we hold - and of the urgency to keep going.
The same Shirley Chisholm also said, “You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”
Let’s tap into that can-do spirit and this month, commit to do more than simply celebrate. Let’s strategise, mobilise, and invest in one another. The road ahead may be long, but history is on our side—and so is the future we are shaping together.
Keep reading for a selection of the latest GLI news and insights.
In Community,
2X Global Team