International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. It’s also a reminder of the work still needed to achieve true gender equality, calling attention to important issues such as equal rights, reproductive freedom and the ongoing fight to end violence against women.
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, recognises the value of passing on advice, insight and encouragement and the positive impact this can have across workplaces and industries for women and wider businesses.
To mark the day, we asked women across East West Rail:
“What advice would you give to women and girls starting off in their career?”
While each response was personal, several clear themes emerged.
Resilience and confidence in your voice
Many spoke about the importance of resilience, particularly in male-dominated environments. Being in the minority can sometimes make it harder to speak up, but your perspective and experience still matter.
Having confidence in your voice and using it is an important part of shaping inclusive and effective workplaces. Speaking up, asking questions and contributing ideas helps make for collaborative and diverse solutions in any workplace.
Know your worth
Another strong message was the importance of recognising the value you bring. Skills, experience and potential don’t always fit neatly into a job description and success isn’t defined by ticking every box.
It was highlighted that you shouldn’t rule yourself out of opportunities because you don’t meet every listed requirement. Roles are about more than qualifications alone; they’re about capability, willingness to learn and the perspective you bring to a team.
Challenge self-doubt
Self-doubt and overthinking were common experiences shared by many. The advice was clear: don’t let uncertainty hold you back.
Be willing to put yourself forward, ask questions early and ‘take up space’. Confidence often grows through action and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Giving advice, gaining strenght
By sharing their experiences, the women of East West Rail are helping to create a culture where learning, confidence and progression are supported. This reflects the spirit of Give to Gain. When advice and encouragement are shared, women and girls are empowered and organisations as a whole become stronger.
You can hear these reflections directly from the women who shared them by watching our short video, where colleagues from across the company talk about their experiences and the advice they would give to those starting out.
To find out more about careers at East West Rail, please visit: https://careers.eastwestrail.co.uk/