It was a powerful morning of honesty, challenge and inspiration at the 30% Club UK International Women’s Day breakfast at the House of Lords in March.
Across the room, we heard a clear and consistent message: progress happens when women use their voices, back one another and challenge the systems that still hold too many people back.
Joeli Brearley reminded us that the motherhood penalty continues to cost women dearly, and called for workplaces, policies and support systems that no longer force mothers to carry that burden alone. You can check out the brilliant work she is doing to support ambitious parents with their return to work at https://growth-spurt.uk/
The Hon Julia Gillard AC highlighted the worrying decline in support for gender equality among younger generations, referencing new research from the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which shows attitudes among Gen Z in particular becoming less progressive. She urged us to build a more inclusive narrative that brings men into the conversation, while investing in deeper research to better understand what is driving these shifts. You can read more about the Institute’s latest research here.
Dr Nighat Arif spoke movingly about the importance of ensuring that marginalised women are seen, heard and included in healthcare, research and policy. Drawing on her work through the NHS and the Women’s Health Strategy, she highlighted how language barriers, cultural stigma and historic mistrust can leave many women excluded from care, and urged all of us to use our voices and platforms to ensure no one is left behind. Her new book “The Knowledge. Your guide to female health from Menstruation to the Menopause” is now available.
Gina Moffatt shared her remarkable journey from serving a prison sentence to becoming an entrepreneur, showing the transformative power of opportunity, belief and support. With help from The King’s Trust, Gina built a floristry business while still in prison and has since become a powerful advocate for second chances, serving as a trustee of The King’s Trust. She now also runs a restaurant, Gina’s, and employs over 20 people.
Actor, writer and producer Sheila Atim spoke about the power of creative risk and the importance of backing women-led storytelling. She challenged the industry’s risk-averse culture and encouraged audiences, funders and institutions alike to actively support female-led productions and artists, reminding us that bold, unconventional work is often where the most powerful stories emerge.
Alex Mohan spoke about the structural barriers that still hold many women back from reaching the most senior leadership roles. She emphasised that becoming a CEO is not about perfection but resilience, and called on leaders, particularly men, to actively sponsor women into CEO-track roles, challenge feedback rooted in bias rather than results, and be intentional about who they notice and support.
Payzee Mahmod shared her deeply personal story of surviving forced marriage and losing her sister to “honour”-based abuse. She spoke about the courage it took to stand up to her family and community, and how the women who believed in her helped her find her voice. Today, Payzee works alongside campaigners and policymakers to strengthen protections for women and girls, reminding us that real change happens when people use their influence to open doors and advocate for others. Find out more about her work here.
Selina Flavius, founder of Black Girl Finance, spoke about the importance of financial literacy and independence for women. Growing up in a household where money was rarely discussed, she set out to create a space where women from underrepresented backgrounds could access clear, practical financial guidance and build long-term confidence around money. Through her work, Selina is helping to close gaps in financial knowledge and empower more women to take control of their financial futures.
The call to action from the day was simple but powerful: use your voice, back others, open doors and be intentional about the change you want to see.
