IWD 2025 Article: How Policy and Legislation Can Accelerate Action toward Gender Equality

The United Nations has marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 with the theme: "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." As IWD celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s time to accelerate efforts toward gender equality. This article highlights nine countries that have enacted bold policies promoting women’s rights and gender equality, often with male allies in leadership.

1. Iceland became the first country to require companies with 25+ employees to prove equal pay through the Equal Pay Act (2018). Non-compliance results in fines, and the policy has led to improved workplace morale and productivity.

2. Rwanda introduced a gender quota requiring at least 30% of seats in Parliament to be held by women. Today, Rwanda has a female majority in its Chamber of Deputies. Women are also allowed to own land, a vital step in economic empowerment. These reforms were championed by President Paul Kagame after the 1994 genocide.

3. Sweden implemented voluntary gender quotas for corporate boards, increasing women in leadership. Prime Minister Göran Persson actively promoted gender equality policies in the early 2000s.

4. Spain passed the Comprehensive Gender Violence Law (2004), offering legal protection and support to women victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This law was led by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

5. Canada uses the Gender Analysis Plus (GBA+) tool to assess how policies affect individuals differently based on gender. The Pay Equity Act (2018) further closed the gender pay gap, requiring equal pay for equal work in federally regulated workplaces. These measures were introduced under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership.

6. Norway offers extensive paid parental leave, with a portion reserved for fathers to encourage shared caregiving, promoting gender equality in the home.

7. Kenya enshrined gender equality in its Constitution (2010), mandating that at least one-third of government positions must be held by women.

8. France has one of the most comprehensive parental leave systems, with recent reforms ensuring fathers take at least part of the leave. France also passed laws to protect domestic violence victims, including easier access to shelters and legal support.

9. New Zealand enacted the Gender Pay Equity Act (2020), requiring employers to address pay disparities between male and female employees in both public and private sectors.

These countries demonstrate how government policies, often led by male allies, can drive significant change toward gender equality. While progress has been made, more work is needed. These policies provide a foundation for future, stronger actions.

What further steps can be taken at a policy level to accelerate gender equality? How can governments, organizations, and communities collaborate to ensure equitable progress for all? Sharing your insights could shape the next wave of progress toward a truly gender-equal society.

Article for Mothers to Daughters, written by Annamaria Ananiadis in Richmond Hill Ontario March 8, 2025