Saturday 8th March is International Womens Day 2025 and it carries the powerful theme of ‘Accelerate Action’.
And make no mistake, change is needed.
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158—roughly five generations from now—to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. That’s simply too long to wait.
Women in the UK are still battling systemic financial disadvantages, from the gender pay gap to the pension gap,and these inequalities have long-term consequences on financial security and independence.
So, what’s really happening, and how can we accelerate the pace of change?
The Gender Pay Gap: The Persistent Penalty for Being a Woman
Despite decades of progress, the UK gender pay gap remains stubbornly high. The latest figures show that women, on average, earn 14.3% less than men (ONS, 2023). The gap widens with age, as career breaks for caregiving, part-time work, and workplace bias continue to hinder women’s earning potential.
This discrepancy isn’t just about equal pay for equal work it is also about the opportunities women are given, the value placed on traditionally female-dominated roles, and the biases that hold women back from leadership positions.
Only 10% of FTSE 100 CEOs are women, and they still face a “motherhood penalty” that their male counterparts do not.
The Pension Gap: A Lifetime of Inequality
While the pay gap affects women during their careers, the pension gap hits hardest in later life. Women in the UK retire with, on average, 35% less in their pension pots than men (Scottish Widows, 2023). This gap exists because women:
- Are more likely to work part-time, reducing pension contributions
- Take career breaks to raise children or care for relatives
- Often prioritise family finances over personal pension savings
The result? Financial insecurity in later life, with many women struggling to maintain independence after retirement. I see this situation far too often.
The Wealth Gap: Investing and Financial Confidence
The disparity between men and women extends beyond earnings and pensions—it’s also about wealth creation. Research shows that women are less likely to invest than men, with only 26% of UK women holding investments, compared to 43% of men (YouGov, 2023).
The reasons?
A mix of lower disposable income, lack of confidence, and historical exclusion from financial decision-making.
However, when women do invest, studies suggest they often achieve better returns than men due to a more long-term, cautious approach. Imagine the financial power we could unlock if more women felt confident in investing and wealth-building strategies!
How can we ‘Accelerate Action’ right Now
Waiting 133 years for financial equality is not an option.
To speed up the progress we need to –
- Close the Pay Gap: Push for pay transparency and stronger equal pay legislation. Companies must be held accountable for fair wages.
- Demand Pension Equality: Employers should be required to contribute fairly to pensions for part-time workers (predominantly women). Women must also be encouraged to prioritise their pension savings.
- Increase Financial Education: Women need access to financial coaching and investment education to gain the confidence to grow their wealth.
- Change the Narrative: Stop the societal messaging that women are “bad with money” and instead highlight female financial success stories.
- Support Each Other: Women’s financial empowerment is not just an individual journey. By supporting female entrepreneurs, championing pay raises, and mentoring younger women, we can all help to accelerate change.
The theme of Accelerate Action is a crucial reminder that financial gender equality isn’t just about policy changes, it’s about urgency, momentum, and collective effort. Whether it’s demanding fair pay, prioritising pensions, investing with confidence, or supporting female-led businesses, every step counts toward breaking down the barriers holding women back.
We cannot wait until 2158 for change. The time to act is NOW!
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