Embracing the Journey: A Coaching Perspective on International
Women’s Day
I still recall the surrealness of the words ‘daughter’ and ‘mother,’ how they felt new on my tongue. I remember being scared and feeling dismissed.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual global celebration that highlights the extraordinary strides made in the women’s rights movement, recognising the cultural, political and socio-economic achievements of women around the world (United Nations, 2023). It’s also a day to remind ourselves that the push toward equality requires ongoing commitment from all of us—women and men alike. Yet for many of us, the conversation around women’s rights becomes especially vivid through personal life events. My own moment of awakening arrived when I became a mother.
My eldest daughter was born nine weeks premature. She came so unexpectedly and her earliest years were filled with medical appointments, research and advocacy on her behalf. Those challenging years shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined and set a tone for how I show up—in my life, my work and my advocacy.
“I still recall the surrealness of the words ‘daughter’ and ‘mother,’ how they felt new on my tongue. I remember being scared and feeling dismissed. Over time I became braver and learned how to speak up for what my daughter needed. I discovered exactly where my expertise lay and how important it was to be heard for her sake.”
Those early days also taught me important lessons about resilience and purpose. Research suggests that when parents become primary advocates for children facing medical challenges, their sense of agency and confidence often grow (World Health Organization, 2018). My journey was no exception. In speaking up for my daughter, I discovered my capacity to lead in other arenas too.
Balancing Careers and Caregiving
My career path took many twists and turns. I cared for my daughter, read many studies on premature infants, attended neonatology conferences and dedicated time to connecting with related communities and charities. I also returned to school to earn a master’s degree, changed jobs, had a second child, relocated countries, and then relocated all over again.
Throughout it all, my husband and I traveled side by side. Yet our paths, while parallel, were never exactly the same. We’re both doctors, but I stepped back from my work more often. My income absorbed what I’ve come to call the “mommy price” reflecting how motherhood can temporarily reduce earning potential for many women (World Economic Forum, 2022). Nonetheless, these experiences have crystallised in me a firm belief that the progress of women’s rights is real—visible in every empowered decision we make and every supportive voice alongside us.
Why We Need Unity
On International Women’s Day, I celebrate those individuals—women and men—who work tirelessly to break barriers for women. History shows that the collective participation of both genders in advancing women’s rights accelerates change (HeForShe, 2021). When men and women unite, we build momentum toward authentic equality for all, not just for women, but for every person who’s ever felt marginalised or unheard.
Coaching Insights: Moving
Forward Together
Own Your Expertise
Just as I found my voice by learning about neonatal care, you can build confidence by immersing yourself in the knowledge you need. Whether it’s advocating for a child, speaking up at work or challenging inequities in your community; expertise amplifies your voice.
Share the Load
Equality thrives when responsibilities are shared. Seek partnerships—whether personal or professional—that prioritise fair distribution of tasks and accountability.
Acknowledge and Adapt
Life rarely follows a linear path. Parenthood, career changes and cross-country moves can disrupt plans. Embrace these experiences as transformative opportunities. Adaptation isn’t failure; it’s resilience and growth.
Advocate as a Team
True progress happens when women and men collaborate. Encourage the allies in your life to join the conversation on equality, whether it’s in the home, the workplace or the broader society.
Celebrate Every Milestone
From personal victories (like your child’s milestone) to collective achievements (like a policy change in your workplace), recognition keeps the momentum going. Celebrate the strides taken and use that energy to fuel the journey ahead.
Looking Ahead
This International Women’s Day—and every day to follow—is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. It’s a time to champion each other’s achievements, challenge dated norms and believe that unity across genders drives lasting impact.
My story, and the stories of countless others, underscores that equality is not a pipe dream. It’s a goal we inch closer to every time we show up, speak up and stand up for one another. Whether we’re mothers advocating for our premature babies, professionals leaning into our careers after time away or men joining the chorus for equal rights; we all have a role to play.
As you move through your own journey remember that your experiences, no matter how challenging, can shape and strengthen your resolve to make a difference. This International Women’s Day, celebrate both the individual and collective progress we’ve made and keep pushing toward a world where every person’s voice is valued equally.
References:
- HeForShe (2021) Our mission. Available at: https://www.heforshe.org/ (Accessed: 8 March 2025).
- United Nations (2023) International Women’s Day. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day (Accessed: 8 March 2025).
- World Health Organization (WHO) (2018) Preterm birth: Key facts. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth (Accessed: 8 March 2025).
- World Economic Forum (2022) Global Gender Gap Report 2022. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2022 (Accessed: 8 March 2025).
