International Women’s Day 2025: Celebrating Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for All Women and Girls

Every year on March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global movement that honors the achievements of women and advocates for gender equality.  

This year’s theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment,” highlights the urgent need to uphold and protect the rights of women and girls worldwide, ensuring their full participation in all aspects of society. 

IWD 2025 also marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to advancing women’s rights globally. As we reflect on three decades of progress, we must ensure true equality for future generations. 

Advancing Women’s Rights and Equality in 2025 

The 2025 IWD theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment,” calls on individuals, organizations, and governments to take meaningful, measurable action toward gender equality.

This includes advancing women’s and girls’ rights, challenging discrimination and violence, promoting gender equality by dismantling barriers and elevating marginalized voices, and fostering empowerment through inclusive access to education, employment, and leadership, prioritizing young women and girls.

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges women face in agrifood systems. Despite playing vital roles in food production, processing, and trade, women continue to face inequalities that limit their access to resources like land, finance, and technology, restricting their economic opportunities.

By prioritizing women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality across agrifood systems, CGIAR is working towards a future where women and girls are not only included but are at the forefront of building resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.

By committing to these goals, we take concrete steps toward a world where every woman and girl can thrive. 

CGIAR’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment 

At CGIAR, gender equality is a core priority.  

Through research, innovation, and community-driven initiatives, CGIAR is working to create opportunities for women in agriculture, climate action, and food security.  

Programs such as the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform and the Gender Equality Research Initative (HER+) drive gender-inclusive research, ensuring that women in rural areas have access to the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. 

Stories of Impact from CGIAR 

• Empowering tribal women farmers: In Odisha, CGIAR and ICRISAT celebrated IWD by recognizing the resilience of tribal women farmers, highlighting their role in ensuring food security and sustainable farming practices. Read more 

• Women in dairy: Women in the dairy sector continue to lead with resilience, contributing to food production, economic stability, and climate adaptation strategies. CGIAR has supported numerous initiatives to ensure these women receive training and resources. Read more 

• Self-help groups and empowerment: In India, CGIAR-backed self-help groups have played a vital role in aiding communication and financial empowerment among women farmers. These initiatives help women gain independence and stronger decision-making power. Read more 

News, Resources, and Impact Stories 

Dive into our latest research, articles, and reports on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive development across CGIAR and beyond.  

Learn more about how we work to give voice, empower, transform, and protect women’s interests and needs across agri-food systems.  

• Empowering Women Through Smart Food Training in Balleyara, Niger – ICRISAT
• Assessing Fish Loss and Waste Through a Gender-Responsive Lens – WorldFish
• Empowering Samkhuy Village, Cambodia through Community-Led Change and Gender-Inclusive Leadership – WorldFish
• Transforming Nigerian Women Participation in Coastal Aquaculture Through AABS-IMTA Intervention – WorldFish
• Women’s Empowerment and Climate Justice: Three Fish Preservation, Handling and Processing Interventions Improving Livelihoods in Kenya’s Lake Victoria Region – WorldFish
• Labor to Leadership: The Rising Role of Women in Agriculture-Dependent Communities – ICRISAT
• Transforming Agriculture Through Co-Designing: A Path to Gender Equity in Agrifood Systems – IITA
• Promoting Gender Transformative Approaches in Agrifood Systems: The Importance of Co-Design Process in Fostering Individual and Organizational Changes – IITA
• Gender Transformative Approaches in Agrifood Systems: Course Modules – CGIAR
• The Scientist Reinventing Beans to Grow Uganda’s Economy – Gates Foundation
• Women Are Key Custodians of Biodiversity – Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT
• Advancing Gender Equality Through Sustainability Systems: Toolkit and Good Practices – CGIAR
• Using Typologies to Target Private Sector Investments in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Agrifood Supply Chains – CGIAR
• Focusing on the Process of Research: Embedding Reflexivity for Gender-Transformative Action – CGIAR
• Pre-Investment Power Moves: Assessing Gender Risks in CSA Investments – CGIAR

Watch  

See how women are driving change across agriculture, climate action, and beyond. These videos spotlight their resilience, leadership, and the fight for gender equality in action. 

• Working for Women: Making Gender Equality a Priority, CGIAR

• Why gender is critical in food systems research, CGIAR Gender Impact Platform  

• Empowering Women and Enhancing Climate Resilience Through Socio-Technical Innovation Bundles, CGIAR

• Women fishing around the world, WorldFish

• 100 Voices on Women in Agriculture, ICRISAT

• Women Empowerment in agriculture, ICARDA

• Gender Inclusive Research: Why and How, The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT
• Transforming Gender Norms in Tanzania: Empowering Women Farmers – CGIAR
• Meet Josephine Mwende – A Climate-Smart Agriculture Champion in Makueni County, Kenya – AICCRA CGIAR

Upcoming Events 

Stay informed and get involved! Explore key events, conferences, and workshops focused on advancing gender equality in agriculture, research, and policy. 

• GenderInAg 2025 Conference – A global event bringing together experts, policymakers, and researchers to discuss gender-responsive solutions in agriculture.
• Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Your Success – Part of CGIAR’s International Women’s Day programming, this mini-series explores imposter syndrome—self-doubt that persists despite achievements. 
• 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) – CSW69 will assess progress on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, exploring gender equality and women’s empowerment within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

How You Can Get Involved 

International Women’s Day is an opportunity for everyone—regardless of gender—to participate in building a more inclusive world. Here’s how you can contribute: 

• Join the conversation using #ForAllWomenAndGirls and #IWD2025 on social media. 

• Attend or host an IWD event in your community or workplace. 

• Support women-led businesses and initiatives. 

• Advocate for policies that promote gender equality in your organization or government. 

• Take a free course from CGIAR’s Gender Impact Platform Training hub.