How we can all be better allies
Celebrating International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made towards gender equity in STEM, recognise the challenges that still exist, and recommit to building workplaces where every woman can thrive.
Today we celebrate the women in STEM who are breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes, but we also call on everyone to embrace allyship and consider how they can support women in the workplace.
Often, conversations about allyship focus on what others — usually men or senior leaders — can do. But it’s important to recognise the power women hold in shaping inclusive, equitable workplaces for one another through intention, generosity, and courage.
Allyship is something we can all practise.
In male dominated environments like STEM, this matters more than ever. Even though women are entering the STEM workforce in greater numbers
(27.2% as of September 2025), they remain underrepresented in senior, technical and decision-making roles.
When we show up for one another — amplifying each other’s voices, sharing opportunities, challenging biases, and removing barriers — the impact is profound. It strengthens individuals, builds collective confidence, and shifts the culture for the next generation.
When we show up for one another — amplifying each other’s voices, sharing opportunities, challenging biases, and removing barriers — the impact is profound. It strengthens individuals, builds collective confidence, and shifts the culture for the next generation.
How can you support women in the workplace?
Be a role model
Use your story to make an impact and inspire young people and early-career professionals to pursue a career in STEM.
Sharing your experiences and showing up as your authentic self is a powerful form of allyship. It helps others feel seen, builds confidence, and opens up possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.
Sharing your experiences and showing up as your authentic self is a powerful form of allyship. It helps others feel seen, builds confidence, and opens up possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.
Mentor rising talent
Mentoring and sponsorship can be transformative for women in STEM, particularly in environments where they may be the “only” or one of a few. Having someone who listens, believes in their potential, and stands beside them during key moments — can make the difference between progressing or stepping back.
A good mentor can help someone feel seen, capable, and supported. When women are actively advocated for, championed, or put forward for the opportunities they deserve, it accelerates careers and helps shift the perception of who belongs in senior, technical, and influential roles.
Mentoring builds confidence. Sponsorship progresses careers.
A good mentor can help someone feel seen, capable, and supported. When women are actively advocated for, championed, or put forward for the opportunities they deserve, it accelerates careers and helps shift the perception of who belongs in senior, technical, and influential roles.
Mentoring builds confidence. Sponsorship progresses careers.
Celebrate each other’s achievements – loudly and visibly
Champion the women you work with to ensure they are recognised and valued for their contributions. This can be as simple as acknowledging their work in meetings or giving credit publicly, not just privately.
Share opportunities, information and networks
Informal networks still play a significant role in who is seen, supported, and considered for progression in STEM — and men continue to benefit disproportionately from them.
You can help shift this by:
• Recommending women for high-profile projects
• Sharing learning and development or stretch opportunities, such as courses, roles, committee positions and conferences
• Advocating for women to be included in decision‑making
• Connecting women with people who can support their growth.
Every door you open strengthens the pipeline for all women, creating a culture where success grows through collective visibility, not competition.
Allyship is a powerful tool that everyone can use. This International Women’s Day, ask yourself: “How can I use my voice, influence or platform – big or small – to make space for a woman I know?”
You can help shift this by:
• Recommending women for high-profile projects
• Sharing learning and development or stretch opportunities, such as courses, roles, committee positions and conferences
• Advocating for women to be included in decision‑making
• Connecting women with people who can support their growth.
Every door you open strengthens the pipeline for all women, creating a culture where success grows through collective visibility, not competition.
Allyship is a powerful tool that everyone can use. This International Women’s Day, ask yourself: “How can I use my voice, influence or platform – big or small – to make space for a woman I know?”