International Women's Day Isn't What You Think

Why it's not grand gestures that change everything

When we think about International Women's Day, we often think about inspiring speeches, ambitious pledges and bold commitments to gender equality...but what if we've been focusing on the wrong things?

What if the biggest barriers to equality aren't created in boardrooms or broken down by one-off campaigns, but in the everyday moments we barely notice? The words we use, the assumptions we make, the opportunities we encourage, the behaviours we reward and the messages children absorb long before they enter the workplace.

In this thought-provoking and uplifting session, Clare Willetts - founder of Not Only Pink and Blue and co-founder of IWD for All - challenges us to rethink everything we thought we knew about creating equality.

Drawing on research, real-life examples and powerful storytelling, Clare takes us back to where inequality often begins: childhood. From the messages hidden in children's clothing and toys, to the language used in performance reviews, recruitment and leadership, to the surprising lessons we can learn from the men's football World Cup, she'll reveal why many well-intentioned equality initiatives fail to create lasting change.

Real progress isn't built through grand gestures. It's created through thousands of small moments where we notice our assumptions, challenge our habits and choose to respond differently. This isn't a session about blame or guilt. It's about understanding the hidden influences that shape all of us and discovering how small, intentional actions can create extraordinary change over time.

Attendees will leave with:

A completely new perspective on how gender stereotypes develop and why they persist.

A better understanding of the subtle, everyday behaviours that shape equality in our workplaces and communities.

Practical ways to recognise and challenge unconscious assumptions without fear or judgement.

Three simple actions they can start taking immediately to create more inclusive conversations, decisions and opportunities.

Renewed optimism that meaningful change is possible—and that every one of us has the power to influence it.

Insightful, inspiring and full of memorable "lightbulb moments", this session will leave attendees seeing the world through a different lens and feeling empowered to make small changes that can have a lasting impact.

Booking Link Coming Soon!