Its 2025. And today is International Women’s day. Why do we, as humans, celebrate women’s day? This question itself is quite baffling. Ofcourse, it is to honor women’s achievements, recognize their struggles, and continue keeping alive spirit of gender equality but if we pause and introspect, we will realize that this celebration highlights an uncomfortable truth : despite progress, gender inequality still exists. Women still face barriers in career advancement, equal pay, and recognition in many organizations. In an ideal Entrepreneurial Entre, these celebrations wouldn’t be necessary — women’s contributions would be acknowledged every day. And that’s what makes this question both necessary and perplexing: because true equality should be the norm, not a special occasion.
The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action”. Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Ascendants had the privilege of sitting down with Yukti Gaur, Co-Founder and CEO of IP India. IP India is a colossal Influencer advertising agency in India. It has served as a powerhouse for 200 + brands, showcasing stage to influence virtual entertainment forces to be reckoned with content in promoting the item.
The first stepping stone of IWB2025 theme Accelerate Action is Urgency in Achieving Gender Equality: It stresses that we can’t afford to wait any longer for change. Organizations, governments, and individuals need to take real, immediate actions instead of just talking about the problem.
Yukti shares the challenges she encountered throughout her corporate journey, highlighting the differing mentalities people hold when a man leads a room versus when a woman does the same.
Women often face challenges that go unnoticed, such as the inappropriate staring they experience in office and other public spaces , which can make them feel uncomfortable and disrespected. Another significant challenge Yukti speaks about is the persistent gender pay gap, with studies showing that women in India earn only ₹40 for every ₹100 earned by men.
However, she emphasizes a key point: ”If a woman has her logic in order, understands herself, and presents herself confidently, she can command the room and lead just as effectively as anyone else.”
The second key aspect of this theme is breaking down the barriers that stop women from moving ahead in areas like work and other fields. This includes issues like the lack of women in leadership roles, and the biases that hold women back.
She relates with these barriers in real life. She talks about how amazing women are doing in the Influencer Marketing arena because of their unique strength of multitasking ability, higher patience level and ability to understand the both EQ and IQ side of the industry. These qualities enable women to navigate the complexities of the industry with a balanced and effective approach.
Women have what it takes to lead and thrive in even the most competitive fields and drive significant progress and innovation, reshaping industries for the better.
“THERE IS A NEED FOR DISCUSSION FOR HOW THE CORPORATE CULTURE CAN PROPAGATE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS”
The third and most crucial aspect is Commitment to Concrete Action : setting clear goals for having more women in leadership, investing in women’s health and education, or creating workplace policies that support women, like equal pay, parental leave, and flexible work options.
The entrepreneurial world has traditionally been a male-dominated field, with a patriarchal mindset deeply ingrained in the system. This often leads to women feeling self-doubt or experiencing imposter syndrome, questioning their abilities and place in the industry. In her discussion, Yukti Gaur emphasized the importance of having people who lift each other up, rather than bringing others down. She believes in the power of support and encouragement, especially among women. Yukti credits her mother as her pillar of strength, acknowledging her unwavering support.
“WOMEN NEED TO BE AROUND WOMEN THAT UPLIFT THEM AND HELP EXCEL”
Despite the ongoing issues, Women are now overtaking their male peers in every field. When it comes to education, having higher education degrees is one of the most significant characteristics that many successful female entrepreneurs have in common. As of October 31, 2024, a total number of 73,151 startups with at least one-woman director have been recognized under the Startup India Initiative. This represents nearly half of the 1,52,139 startups supported by the government, showcasing the crucial role women play in driving innovation and economic growth. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, if women entrepreneurs were to receive the same level of funding as men, it could add $12 trillion to global GDP.
Women have everything it takes to lead and excel, but often, what they lack are the encouragement, respect, and resources necessary to fully realize their potential. On this International Women’s Day, let’s come together and commit to providing them with the support they need to thrive—whether it’s through mentorship, equal opportunities, or simply recognizing their value. By doing so, we can help unlock the immense potential women have to drive innovation, growth, and positive change in every field.
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