Empowering women and girls: A call to action for rights, equality, and empowerment

As we mark International Women's Day (IWD) 2025, we are reminded that advancing gender equality is not just about celebrating achievements but also about taking deliberate action to break down barriers. This year's theme is For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment, which speaks to the urgency of ensuring that every woman and girl, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the opportunities, resources, and support needed to thrive.

The world has progressed since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted 30 years ago, setting a global agenda for women's rights. However, there are still disparities in leadership, pay, and workforce participation. Achieving meaningful change requires a commitment from individuals, businesses, and policymakers to foster environments where all women can succeed at work, in their communities, and across industries.

Driving Workplace Equity Through Inclusion and Innovation

At Workday, we believe equity should be embedded in workplace culture, not just in policies. Our VIBE (Value Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity) framework ensures that diversity and inclusion efforts are measured, intentional, and effective. By using tools like the VIBE Index, we continuously track hiring, promotions, and employee sentiment, ensuring our strategies lead to tangible progress.

Creating equal outcomes, not just equal opportunities, is key. That's why we leverage data-driven insights to shape inclusive workplaces. Workday's AI-powered Skills Cloud helps remove bias in hiring and career progression by focusing on skills rather than job titles or past experience. This technology is already making a difference, ensuring more equitable talent decisions and helping women advance in their careers.

Supporting Women at Every Stage of Their Careers

Gender equality isn't just about entry-level opportunities; it's about supporting women through every stage of their professional and personal journeys. At Workday, we recognise that life stages such as motherhood and menopause can have a significant impact on women's careers, and we've developed policies to provide meaningful support:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: From compressed workweeks to part-time schedules, we ensure employees can balance caregiving responsibilities with career growth.
• Parental Leave for All: We offer 12 weeks of fully paid leave to all new parents—regardless of gender or family structure—to support bonding with a new child.
• Menopause Support: With about 20% of the global workforce currently navigating menopause, we've implemented comprehensive support initiatives, including our Maven Menopause program, which provides 24/7 access to specialists. We also offer ergonomic workplace adjustments, wellness resources, and flexibility in work arrangements to ensure no one feels isolated during this transition.

By taking an inclusive approach to workplace policies, we ensure that women at all career stages feel valued, supported, and empowered to perform at their best.

The Role of AI in Advancing Gender Equity

As businesses embrace digital transformation, AI presents a unique opportunity to advance gender equality. Workday is committed to using AI ethically and responsibly, ensuring it acts as a tool for inclusion rather than reinforcing bias.