International Women’s Day 2025 Program - AccelerateAction: Empowering Women for a Sustainable Future

Video on demand 

For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment

“My brain is my weapon”

Welcome, everyone, to our International Women’s Day program, and a heartfelt congratulations to all the incredible women across the world. Today, we come together to celebrate the achievements and progress made towards gender equality, while recognizing the work still ahead. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, focuses on speeding up progress toward gender equality, and what better way to explore this than by blending two significant moments: Sustainability Week and International Women’s Day. Both movements emphasize a future built on equal rights, empowerment, and sustainable growth for all.

Today, we are honored to feature Sofonie Dala, a globally recognized pioneer whose work in sustainability and gender equality has made an outstanding impact in various sectors of life and industry.

Since being awarded the OSISA scholarship in 2019 by Open Society Foundation, which focuses on African women in media leadership across Southern Africa, Sofonie has become one of the most inspiring young African digital entrepreneurs. She now has a global following of dedicated visitors who turn to her platform, Sofonie Dala Young Talent from Africa, for knowledge and inspiration. Her slogan, “My brain is my weapon”, reflects her powerful approach to overcoming obstacles and achieving her goals, and it has been the driving force behind her success.

In 2019, Sofonie was selected by the African Union Committee from over 3,000 applicants to attend a high-level workshop in Ghana. This event focused on advancing gender equality in STEM, further solidifying Sofonie’s commitment to driving change in areas that can propel women forward in innovation and technology.

In 2020, Sofonie founded her own startup and became an ambassador for the Africa Educated Campaign—an initiative created by the African Union to ensure that girls return to school during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Through tireless efforts, she visited both rural and urban communities in Angola, working one-on-one with women and girls. These efforts, recorded through hundreds of documentaries, culminated in an inspiring digital platform that has reached countless people worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education across the world and Africa has not been spared. By the 6th of April 2020, 53 African Union Member States had shut down all institutions of learning as a measure to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, affecting an estimated 250 million students across the continent.

Over 133 million of these students are girls and women, and more than 10 million of them risk not returning to school if we do not take action that guarantees their return.

In 2023, Sofonie became the only Angolan woman to be accepted into the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPS), and her photo is proudly displayed among some of the most influential global figures in sustainable development. Her work continues to align with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 1 & 2 (No poverty and Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action). Thousands across the globe access her life-lasting, non-expiring products that are available for free, bringing valuable resources to individuals, professionals, and institutions alike.

Sofonie’s journey has been marked by accolades, scholarships, and monetary prizes for her work in advancing gender equality and sustainability. From 2020 to 2024, she received multiple recognitions and published hundreds of articles, cementing her position as one of the leading voices in Africa’s sustainability and women’s rights movements.

Now in the UK as a Chevening scholar, Sofonie continues to be a powerful force for change. Her work has inspired countless women and men around the world, and she remains a shining example of determination, creativity, and leadership. Sofonie’s mission is clear: to create a sustainable cooperative that empowers women living below the poverty line. Through her work, she aligns with the SDGs, specifically focusing on Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

As we move forward into 2025, we are reminded of the importance of rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day calls for action that will unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all. This year is particularly significant as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s rights worldwide. It laid the foundation for legal protection, access to services, youth engagement, and the dismantling of outdated social norms and stereotypes.

We must now, more than ever, engage media, corporate leaders, governments, community leaders, civil society, and youth—those with influence—to take decisive action in our communities and beyond.

Before we conclude, I leave you with these words: Inspiration drives change, but action sustains it. Let’s keep accelerating the action towards gender equality, particularly in entrepreneurship and the workplace, where women still face barriers to equal opportunities and fair treatment. SDG 5 emphasizes not only the need for gender equality but also the importance of women’s full participation in economic and entrepreneurial activities. As we move forward, let us empower women to break down barriers and lead the charge for a more inclusive, sustainable, and equal future for all.

Thank you, and happy International Women’s Day!