Hello Everyone,

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow I’ll be joyous as I join women and girls in Newham to mark International Women’s Day 2025. It’s the day where we loudly and proudly honour globally, the glorious and multifaceted achievements of all women. 

It’s the day where we also assert, nonetheless and in defiance, our courage and our progress in the face of everyday sexism. This year’s theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ – and do we need it. Research by the World Economic Forum shows that at the current rate of ‘progress’ it will take until 2158 to reach full gender parity. That’s five more generations of women and girls being held back from reaching their potential and experiencing equality.

That’s why I’ve been making the case this week for accelerating action for women and girls in the world of work. On Wednesday, I went back to my former secondary school in East Ham to meet an assembly of Plashet School girls for our Girls in Data collaboration for International Women’s Day, all part of our Newham Data Economy work.

I talked about empowerment, opportunity, and the incredible potential that each and every one of the girls in the assembly hall has to shape their future – and literally the future. In today’s world, data is everywhere, it influences the way we make decisions, from healthcare to business, from social media to  government.  But what’s even more important is ensuring that the people shaping the future of data are as diverse as the communities they serve.

That means making sure that young women, like all of the young girls in the assembly hall, have access to the skills, knowledge, and   opportunities to thrive in the economy and future world of work.

As your Mayor of Newham, I have championed the work we are doing for young people in our borough, ensuring that all of them have opportunities to access a whole host of pathways into industries that are shaping the world around us; and I especially don’t want girls to be held back or be secondary in that.

The Data Economy is a rapidly growing sector, and I want to see more young women leading the way, breaking barriers, challenging norms and driving innovation. Our Newham Data Economy programme is all about creating opportunities for young people, helping them gain the skills, confidence, and connections to succeed. 

Over the coming months, we will be rolling out more initiatives to ensure that young people in Newham, particularly young women, can access mentorship, training, and career pathways in data and technology.  This is not just about the jobs of the future, it’s about ensuring that those jobs are open to everyone, regardless of background or gender. That’s why on International Women’s Day tomorrow, we’re also hosting a Women in Tech event, promoting inclusivity and breaking barriers for women in the industry.

To the sisterhood: I’ll always be dedicated to empowering women and girls with skills and opportunities to thrive.

Happy International Women’s Day 2025.

Best wishes,

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE

Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz

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