Making accelerating action about more than automation

In a world which seems to be going backwards rather than forwards in some areas, it has become very clear that actions speak louder than words. Diversity mandates mean little unless they are acted upon, and those which are not secure in support are easy enough to undo when so much progressive work remains to be done and opposing actions are implemented without hesitation.

It is therefore crucial that positive action is accelerated at every point to strengthen progress relating to gender equality. That’s why ‘accelerate action’ is this year’s theme for International Women’s Day.

Every day we see how our automation accelerates actions across the finance function, but the reality is that the same intent, applied to gender equality, can result in far more impactful benefits for the whole of society. Let’s find out how.

Highlighting inequalities

Sometimes the inequalities which women face every day go unnoticed, primarily by those who are not directly affected and might be subject to unconscious bias. For example, in 2016 the Pew Research Center discovered that 63% of women feel that there remain obstacles which stop them from getting ahead, whereas only 41% of men felt the same way. That isn’t to say that cultures which negatively impact women don’t also have a knock-on effect upon men.

However, regardless of who is at detriment, if issues aren’t noted, it becomes very difficult to produce a resolution for anyone. That’s why Aurum flags exceptions for immediate investigation by finance professionals, and it’s why we must all speak up when we notice sexist behaviour.

No matter the scale, unchecked misogyny will continue to run rife unless it is called out. For example, just in the instance of reading this sentence, you will learn that girls and women contribute roughly $10.8 trillion to the global economy every year through unpaid labour; 3 in 5 women experience harassment at work; and on average, 137 women are killed each day by a family member or partner around the world. For those of you who this is news to, are you happy with this remaining the case or with these inequalities highlighted will you seek to take actions which will accelerate change?

Acting quickly

It isn’t all well and good knowing that inequalities exist. Importantly, they need to be corrected, and like International Women’s Day 2025 is promoting, action should be taken quickly.

In order for this to be the case, good communication is fundamental, but this only comes about when the correct infrastructure is in place. With exception management off the back of reconciliation, this is fairly simple – enable notified conversations to take place within one platform in a way that is tied to every transaction. However, in day-to-day life where different dynamics are at play and topics can be more sensitive, communication can face various barriers, prohibiting positive action taking place. For instance, 60% of women feel that they are not taken seriously when they raise health concerns and less than 1 in 3 will report sexual harassment in the workplace.  

Barriers can be broken down though, clearing a path for action. Through a mix of changing attitudes, providing safe spaces, and highlighting to women that they are not alone in their experiences – Laura Bates’ Everyday Sexism project fulfils all three – voices can grow louder and reach further on the topics which truly matter to women – not just what today’s society presents as the “right” topics – prompting action to take place.

Building connections

Gender equality is a topic of conversation which shouldn’t be off limits with anyone. After all, everyone knows a woman who is important in their life. Nevertheless, talking to some people about this topic can be more productive than with others when it comes to accelerating action.

For example, Laura Bates’ work in secondary schools, colleges and universities has seen her reach thousands of impressionable young people, making them aware of the damage that sexism can have before it is misbranded to them by online influences; England rugby players, Danny Care and Ugo Monye, becoming ambassadors for Women’s Aid resulted in more boys and men discussing why violence against women shouldn’t happen, and Andy Murray calling out the press for overlooking female achievements in a live interview placed the issue under an international spotlight.  

Ultimately, having connections helps. Just like how integrations between banks, PSPs, ERPs and more result in users of Aurum getting the information they need to progress to a financial close in record speed, for the matter of equality, building connections sees communication become even more effective, resulting in information reaching people who can accelerate action either on the ground or from a higher position.  

Extract, transform and lead

Ultimately, there is no doubt that we should all be working to accelerate action that will support women. Yet for that to happen with confidence, a foundation must first be laid:

• Extraction of inequalities facing women must be unearthed to firstly ensure that the right actions are going to be taken.
  

• Transformation of attitudes and environments must take place to make sure that the conversations around implementing action will act as a springboard forward.
  

• Leaders at every level will emerge to set a good example thanks to connections being founded on conversations about equality, no matter whether that is through celebrities or peers in the workplace and education.

Although foundations might seem unimportant when actions are what is needed, it would be wrong to overlook the reason why actions are now needed at an accelerated rate – a patriarchal foundation has been in place for centuries. Despite many actions over decades such as the women’s suffrage movement, women gaining the right to open their own bank account in the UK in 1975, and Iceland leading the way on all firms with over 25 employees having to prove equal pay, still in 2025, attitudes from seemingly a bygone era are able to breach into the present day and subvert progress, showing how influential a foundation is.

Let’s get a strong feminist foundation in place and accelerate action to support women.