This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is #AcceleratingAction which is all about pushing for change—faster.
Right now, it’s predicted that it will take 133 years for women to achieve full equality at work. That’s five generations! Napo refuses to wait. We believe real change is within reach, but only if we act decisively and act now. Here’s our vision for a workplace that works for everyone.
Closing the gender pay gap—for good
Equal pay isn’t a privilege; it’s a right. So why are women in the UK still earning, on average, 13% less than men? This gap is even wider for women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those in lower-paid roles. Napo is demanding:
- Full pay transparency – All employers in all sectors must be upfront about pay structures.
- Mandatory equal pay audits – If there’s a gap, it must be explained and fixed—fast.
- Stronger penalties for non-compliance – It’s time to hold employers accountable.
Work that works for everyone
Women are still carrying the majority of unpaid care work, including childcare and looking after elderly relatives.
Flexible working is designed to help, but often just ends up reinforcing gender stereotypes, leaving many women stuck in lower-paid, part-time roles with limited career progression. We want:
- Flexible work for all – Everyone, not just women, should have access to flexible arrangements without career penalties.
- Stronger carer leave policies – An improvement to paid leave for both parents or people who have caring responsibilities, encouraging shared responsibility at home and equality at work.
- Affordable childcare – The cost of childcare shouldn’t cancel out a woman’s salary.
A culture shift, not just policy tweaks
Legislation alone won’t fix everything. There must be a fundamental shift in workplace culture, where equality isn’t just a tick-box exercise but the foundation of how we work. That means:
- Stronger trade union representation – Workers must have a voice in shaping workplace policies.
- Zero tolerance for discrimination – Every workplace must be a safe workplace.
- More investment in training and awareness – From tackling unconscious bias to equipping people with the tools to progress through the ranks and support diverse teams.
We’re not waiting
Change won’t happen by itself. This International Women’s Day, Napo is calling on employers, policymakers, and our members to help us #AccelerateAction. We’ve seen what happens when we stand together—we make change happen. Let’s make gender equality in the workplace a reality, not a distant dream.
Contact info@napo.org.uk for more information about joining the Women in Napo Network and other ways to #AccelerateAction for women in the workplace.
