Imagine telling your great-great-great-granddaughter that gender equality might finally arrive during her lifetime.
According to the (World Economic Forum) WEF, we won’t achieve full gender parity until 2158 at our current pace.
That’s five generations from now and frankly, that’s ridiculous. As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches on March 8th, this year’s theme “Accelerate Action” couldn’t be more timely. We’re not just asking for change, we’re demanding we step on the gas pedal.
Let’s be honest: waiting until 2158 isn’t just inconvenient; it’s economically wasteful. When half the population faces systemic barriers to full participation, everyone loses. Each day we delay gender equality means lost innovations, untapped talent, and missed economic growth. Nigeria alone could add billions to its GDP by closing gender gaps in employment and entrepreneurship.
The question isn’t whether we should accelerate action, it’s why haven’t we already floored it?
What’s particularly frustrating is that we already know many solutions that work. Financial inclusion programs have proven track records. Mentorship initiatives show measurable results. Flexible work policies demonstrate clear benefits. The roadmap exists—we just need to follow it faster and with more commitment.
This isn’t just about fairness (though that would be reason enough). It’s about unleashing potential. When women thrive, communities prosper. When women build businesses, economies grow. When women lead, organizations perform better.
At Sterling , we recognized this reality when creating OneWoman
Our bespoke financial proposition designed specifically for female customers. OneWoman isn’t just a product; it’s a statement that we refuse to wait until 2158.
OneWoman serves as a one stop financial shop tailored to the unique challenges women face. It bridges critical gaps by providing not just financial services but business and lifestyle advisory support that helps women achieve their goals through capacity building, training, and targeted business loans.
The reality is that accelerating action requires both systemic change and practical tools. While we advocate for broader policy reforms, we’re also delivering concrete solutions today. Because Nigerian women aren’t interested in theoretical progress they need real resources now.
Consider what happens when a woman entrepreneur secures appropriate financing: She doesn’t just grow her business; she often employs other women, mentors younger generations, and reinvests in her community. That’s acceleration in action.
This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond awareness to implementation. Let’s demand concrete timelines instead of vague promises. Let’s measure progress with actual metrics rather than good intentions. If we truly accelerate action, making strategic investments, removing structural barriers, and providing appropriate resources. We can dramatically shorten that 133 year timeline. Our daughters shouldn’t have to wait. Our granddaughters certainly shouldn’t have to wait. And neither should we.
Because 2158 is simply too late for gender equality. The time for incremental change has passed. The moment for acceleration is now.
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