March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day in which we celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and act for equality. This year, the theme is #AccelerateAction. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both within personal and professional spaces.
This International Women’s Day campaign, we had an amazing conversation with the talented Peju ’The Spark’ Abuchi.
Peju “The Spark” Abuchi is committed to healing the world, one stage at a time, through the power of poetry and storytelling.
Infectious energy and spellbinding oratory have led her to feature on platforms like Channels TV, BBC Radio, The London Mayor’s Office, Women in Leadership Publication, The Voice and ASPIRE’s Global Unity Conference.
She is the author of the 2024 book, A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations: 31 ways to sow, grow and flow goodness into your life
Check out the full interview below:
NKD: The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day. What are your thoughts and feelings around this day?
Peju Abuchi: I’m a big fan and advocate of International Women’s Day, but I want to start by unpacking that phrase: International Women’s Day. If we break it down, “International” means it’s a global celebration of women. Women all over the world come together in their desire, and sometimes desperation, to be seen, heard, valued, and respected.
Next, “Women”. It’s a time set aside to acknowledge that the world is undoubtedly a better place for having women in it. Women bring something unique and special: bravery, brilliance, beauty, and boldness. These qualities are inherently ours to contribute to the world and shape it for the better. Women are more aligned with the strengths of inclusion, diversity, belonging and equity. We bring emotional and cultural intelligence that fosters growth and development across homes, families, communities, industries, organisations, and nations.
Now, let’s talk about the third word— “Day”. This is where I’m less enthusiastic because, at times, International Women’s Day can feel tokenistic, like a small box to be ticked. Gender equality should not be a box to check off; women are treasures to be discovered and invested in.
Yes, it’s important to set aside a day, week or month to raise and heighten awareness, but it’s even more important to maintain the momentum long after March’s celebrations have ended.
NKD: Are there any ways you actively champion gender equality?
Peju: Personally, I believe that championing gender equality every day is a double-edged sword. By that, I mean that, on the one hand, it starts with me. If I can begin with myself—thinking about the words I speak to myself daily, how I see myself, what I value, and what I recognise my worth to be, every day – this contributes to the bigger picture of gender equality. It all starts with me.
My book, A Poetic Odyssey of Proclamations speaks to this. The power of our self-talk and empowering beliefs should be centred around wisdom, hope, and kindness. If we can be kind to ourselves, if we can have hope for ourselves as women—rising into a society that used to be, or dare I say, still is, quite hostile to women—then, when we recognise what we bring and who we are, that naturally overflows into the other women we’re walking through life with.
This is where the double-edged sword comes in: the other side is that it’s exhausting work. I think women all over the world are collectively sighing in exhaustion! Centuries on, the rallying cry for gender equality is still ringing out loud and long and I get the sense that women are tired. This is why we need allies—to truly stand with us, support us, and not stand against us. The work starts with us, and though it is exhausting and emotive, it is essential and must continue.
Once you’ve done the work with yourself—championing who you are every day—then you’ll naturally see that overflow into other women you interact with. It could be something as simple as thanking women for what they do. Saying “I see you” and “I appreciate you” can be a game-changer for many women who often don’t feel valued for all the goodness they bring to the home and work. I often remind women that they are awesome!
By aiming to be part of the tribe that helps women thrive, I offer coaching, sometimes at a reduced rate, to support marginalised women in overcoming internal barriers and external obstacles, so they can step into their greatness. Success for some women could be having other women support their causes and share about their work – this leads to positive momentum that can impact the lives of many women.
Calling out microaggressions is paramount. You have to call out what you see being done towards women that is wrong. You need to speak out when something is said about women that you know to be toxic and devoid of truth. When you stand with another woman in a time of trauma or when she’s being put down, you’re also standing with yourself and playing your part in advancing gender equality.
Another aspect of championing gender equality for me, as a mother of boys, is that I am very clear that we can empower women without emasculating men. I think it’s crucial to realise that it’s not one or the other. We do not need to put men down in order to elevate women. It’s important for men to understand that they’re not always seen as the problem. We can invite them to be part of the solution, and that means respecting what they bring to the table as well.
NKD: What do you think are the most important actions that organisations can take right now to accelerate gender equality in the workplace, and how can these changes be sustained?
Peju: So, my advice to organisations is, “Don’t just jump on the bandwagon!”
Gender equality is currently very fashionable, and it’s easy to appear committed by merely holding that space without actually taking meaningful action. Don’t just follow the trend. It’s crucial to reflect on your mindset towards gender equality. How honest are you about what you truly think? How aware are you of what this shift and movement are genuinely about?
Secondly, understand that gender equality is not a tick-box exercise. You can focus on the business case for gender equality – the facts state that organisations with more women in senior leadership positions tend to perform better. Women are incredible at unifying others, bringing ideas together, and fostering teamwork. As I mentioned before, women excel in emotional intelligence, and they are natural gatherers of people. They notice when others are shining, and they want people, teams, and organisations to succeed. They are more focused on the “we” than the “me”.
So yes, it’s important that, as an organisation, you recognise and reflect on the business case for gender equality. However, I challenge you to move beyond that and consider the human case for gender equality. What does it mean to value each woman? How can you treasure the whole woman and what she contributes specifically to your organisation and leadership team?
It’s easy to say, “Bring your WHOLE self to work”, but do you truly mean it? What does it mean for a woman to bring her whole self to work? And how curious are you about the world that a woman encapsulates?
Thirdly, if you want gender equality to be sustainable, start by asking: What is already in place? I’m not talking about programmes or policies, yet. I’m talking about mindset. What do the senior leaders in your organisation genuinely believe about gender equality? Are they on board or are they bored? Are they challenged or curious?
What’s filtering down from senior leadership into the organisation that demonstrates more than just policy or systems? What truly reflects the organisation’s commitment to gender equality? If you want lasting change, ask yourself: What’s in place now, and will it continue long after I’m gone?
NKD: So Peju, If you could give one piece of advice to women joining the workforce, what would it be?
Peju: I want to speak to both extroverted and introverted women, as sometimes the introverted women—the introverted leaders—can be overlooked, despite having so much to offer. You can be a powerful female leader, regardless of whether you identify as extroverted or introverted. My advice is to embrace all of who you are, right where you are.
Know this for certain – you have valuable voice. Once you recognise this, own it and hone it. Own your voice and use it as a force for good, right where you are. Our voices are powerful, individually and collectively.
NKD: Thank you Peju!
For more content on this year’s International Women’s Day campaign, click here.
To find out more about Peju and the amazing work she does, click here