International Women’s Day 2026: Give to Gain

International Women's Day (IWD), a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women everywhere. It's also a reminder for us to keep creating a world where women feel safe, supported, and valued.

Give To Gain: The IWD 2026 Theme

The 2026 theme, Give To Gain, is grounded in generosity and reciprocity. The idea is simple and powerful: giving isn’t a loss, it’s a multiplier. When people, organisations, and communities give women resources, safety, visibility, credit, education, funding, mentoring, time, equal pay, and opportunities, more becomes possible for everyone.

Why Women-Owned Businesses Matter

Women have always built businesses, led teams, and created change. Today, more women-owned businesses are being recognised, supported, and celebrated.

Globally, women-owned businesses contribute around $1 trillion to the economy every year. In Australia, women make up about 34.8% of all business operators, and that number continues to grow. Bring it on!

This growth matters because diverse leadership creates stronger businesses. When women are part of leadership and entrepreneurship, different perspectives lead to better products, smarter solutions, and businesses that care about their communities.

Female founders are helping shape industries by building companies that solve real problems while creating positive social impact.

The Challenges Women Still Face in Business

Celebration and honesty can exist at the same time. While there has been real progress, women in business still face challenges that can slow growth. These include the gender pay gap, unequal access to opportunities, and less funding for female entrepreneurs.

In Australia, women earn about 79cents for every dollar earned by men. Over a year, that difference adds up to around $28,356. Female founders and women-owned businesses also receive less venture capital funding than male founders, even when their ideas and performance are just as strong.

And yet, women continue to build and lead. Female entrepreneurs keep starting businesses, growing teams, running households, creating safer products, and pushing industries forward.

That resilience and impact is something worth celebrating loudly.

Why Supporting Women-Led Businesses Matters

Supporting women-led businesses is one of the simplest ways to create real-world change. It’s good for communities, good for innovation, and good for the economy. In fact, women are  and 1.23 time more likely to peruse environmental ventures rather than profit-centred ventures. That’s Give To Gain in action.

Why Supporting Women-Led Businesses Matters

Supporting women-led businesses is one of the simplest ways to create real change. It’s good for communities, good for innovation, and good for the economy.

Research shows that women are 1.17 times more likely than men to start social ventures and 1.23 times more likely to pursue environmental ventures rather than purely profit-focused ones.

That’s Give To Gain in action.

How Go For Zero is Championing Women in Sustainability

Go For Zero is female-founded and led, and we’re proud to be part of a community that backs women doing the work, especially in sustainability. 

Did you know 90 of the 109 incredible brands that we stock are founded by women (that's 83%). This means when you shop with us, you’re supporting a whole crew of women, building conscious businesses with real intent and real standards. You can see the full range from our female founded brands here!

How You Can Support Women This International Women’s Day

If you want an easy Give To Gain action today, start with visibility. Share a female-founded brand you love, leave a review for a women-led business, or introduce two women in your network who should know each other. Small actions can make a big difference.

You can also give your time, knowledge, and support. Mentor someone, recommend a woman for an opportunity, speak up when you see bias, or advocate for equal pay and recognition.

If you can, support women-owned businesses with your spending. Donate to a women-focused charity, invest in female entrepreneurs, or choose to buy from female-founded and women-led brands.

Looking Ahead

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate, but it’s also a reminder that supporting women doesn’t have to be complicated. The Give To Gain theme is about generosity, collaboration, and taking small actions that help women gain more safety, opportunities, and recognition.

So today, raise your reusable cup to the women leading change in sustainability and business. Here’s to empowerment, equality, and a greener tomorow.

If you loved this story, you can find more uplifting updates in our Happy Earth News Blog! 

With Love,
Ellie xo