Celebrating International Women’s Day – Rights. Equality. Empowerment

We are delighted to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate the eleven wonderful ladies who make up over 35% of the Harris Irwin team.  This year’s campaign is ‘Accelerate Action’ to unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation, particularly young women as catalysts for lasting change.

Juliette Irwin, director, said: “At Harris Irwin we are driven to ensure our women are represented in all areas and at all levels of the business and we are immensely proud that we achieve this. Our ladies contribute to the smooth running of all aspects of the practice in design and technical roles, finance, HR, marketing and administration.

“We work closely with our local schools and sixth form college to offer work experience and opportunities to young women to raise awareness of careers in architecture and encourage them into the world of design. The construction industry is traditionally male dominated, and we are keen to shift the balance so that women have greater representation in our industry.”

International Women’s Day is a global day that has been marked for over a century and its aims are still as important as ever. As well as celebrating the economic, political and societal achievements of women the campaign raises awareness of and educates people on gender equality, calling for positive changes that will help women and their rights to move forward.

The campaign claims that at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. 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 in personal and professional spheres.

Find out more about International Women’s Day at IWD: IWD 2025 campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’