Opinion: Women, finally, walking on the moon

"One small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind".

In 2027, this historic moment will become a reality.

NASA's Artemis mission, named after the ancient Greek goddess of the moon and transitions, will take the first female (Christina Koch) and first person of colour (Victor Glover) to the lunar surface. This will mark humanity’s return to the moon for the first time in over 50 years - a milestone not just in space exploration but in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.

Looking back: Women in 1969

As Neil Armstrong delivered his famous words during the Apollo 11 landing in July 1969, the world was a very different place for women:

• Women made up 50% of the 3.62 billion global population.
• The UK Equal Pay Act (1970)—sparked by the strikes of female Ford workers in Essex—had yet to be passed.
• In the U.S., women earned 59 cents for every $1 a man earned.
• Women in Switzerland still couldn’t vote (a right only granted in 1971).
• Indira Gandhi had been Prime Minister of India since 1966, increasing women’s visibility in politics.
• Women’s marathon running was banned in the Olympics until 1984.

Fast forward to 2025: Where are we now?

The global population has grown to eight billion, with women still representing half. While significant progress has been made, the journey towards true gender equality remains ongoing.

Today, women lead in politics, business, and sports, from Ursula von der Leyen, the first female President of the European Commission, to tennis icons like Serena and Venus Williams. Women’s voting rights are far more widespread, and female representation in leadership continues to rise.

Yet, the fight for gender equality is far from over. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, 'Accelerate Action', underscores this urgency. At the current rate of progress, the World Economic Forum predicts that full gender parity won’t be reached until 2158!

Shooting for the moon

As RGU Startup Accelerator Manager, I have the privilege of inspiring moon shots—bold, transformative ideas—and witnessing women founders achieve the extraordinary in their entrepreneurial journeys.

For International Women’s Day 2025, I leave you with this thought:

"Can we truly progress as a society if half the world’s population is unable to tap into its full potential?"

Let’s accelerate action - for women, for progress, and for the future of our planet.