In 2025, the campaign theme is “Accelerate Action,” emphasizing the urgency of advancing gender parity.

The United Nations' theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

This theme underscores the global commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl enjoys equal rights and opportunities, empowering them to reach their full potential.   WUN is sharing a special edition of the WUN video podcast, created for International Women’s Day 2025, exploring this year’s themes, highlighting the importance of accelerating actions and fostering inclusive environments, to achieve gender equality in the utilities sector.   

At the current rate of progress, it could take until 2158 to reach full gender parity. In this podcast, the panel from the WUN board and advocates, including Hayley Monks and Jo Butlin, discusses:

• How recognising different leadership styles can drive progress

• What organisations can do to ensure women feel valued and want to stay

• The role of initiatives like WUN in creating meaningful change

• How the sector can challenge traditional practices to accelerate action  

You can watch the discussion and share it to inspire action and spark conversations about building a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable industry.

The link to the main video podcast is here and three shorter extracts below: 

• WUN IWD Clip 1 - Accelerating Action: Where are we now? (3m20s) WUN
• IWD Clip 2 - Accelerating Action: What can we do differently in diversity and inclusion? (5m57s)
• WUN IWD Clip 3 - Accelerating Action: What actions can male and female leaders take to create change? (6m32s)  

With women making up just 29% of the sector’s workforce, now is the time for bold action!

The video also explores findings from WUN’s 2024 Unconscious Bias report, which revealed that nearly a third of women are considering leaving the sector in the next 1–3 years.

The WUN 2025 Survey on The Power of Culture in Shaping the Utilities Workplace is closing soon!

Your insights are invaluable in helping us understand workplace culture and drive real change across the sector so don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard - complete the survey now before it closes on 27th February!