Time to Give to Gain

When I first read the theme for International Women’s Day 2026, “Give to Gain”, I had two immediate reactions.

First, agreement with the spirit of generosity and collaboration behind it.

And second, a quiet frustration.

Because when we look honestly at society, it is clear that women have already been giving: consistently, quietly, and often without recognition.

The quiet frustration I mentioned comes from the reality that women have always been giving: continuously, and often without recognition or appreciation. Yes, I’ve repeated myself because women contribute both inside and outside the home, and yet much of what they give remains undervalued or invisible.

I would like the immense contribution of women to be fully recognised and valued.

In 2022, the online magazine Motherly highlighted that

“The unpaid work women do adds up to $10.8 trillion per year.” (GBP Equivalent is £8,046,000,000,000) This figure alone illustrates the scale of what is routinely overlooked.”

Further research from the Women’s Budget Group on the Motherhood Penalty, drawing on analysis of census data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published on 3 October 2025, examined the impact of motherhood on employment and earnings between April 2014 and December 2022.

“Five years after the birth of a child, compared with earnings before birth, mothers had lost on average:

• • £65,618 for a first or only child
  • £26,317 for a second child
  • £32,456 for a third child”

These figures highlight the very real economic cost of motherhood.  I hear some voices noting that for many motherhood is a choice and that is correct for some in the western world, but not for all and certainly not the case for the majority of women worldwide.

And if we need to be reminded there are many other ways that women contribute in the main known as the “5 Cs” in some circles: Caring, Cleaning, Catering (cooking) Clerical (admin) and Cashiering (retail – purchasing goods for the home and family).

When I step back from my initial reaction to the phrase “Give to Gain,” and focus on the intention behind it, particularly in light of the message shared by the UN Secretary-General,  I can appreciate the spirit of what the campaign hopes to achieve.  See that video message here.

Yet if we truly want to accelerate the idea of “giving to gain,” we must be prepared to take more meaningful action.

One powerful step would be to properly recognise, and potentially compensate, the immense work women contribute in raising children, supporting families, and sustaining the social foundations upon which our economies depend. The work done in homes every day directly supports the productivity and participation of others in the workplace and in wider society.

Encouraging organisations and individuals to invest in women and girls is essential. Many people already know this. Yet too often the action does not follow the awareness.

This year marks 115 years of International Women’s Day. While progress has certainly been made, we are still far from addressing the fundamentals.

As the Global Policy Journal notes,

“Maternal deaths have declined, girls’ access to education has expanded, and global commitments to gender equality have strengthened. Institutions have been built, international agreements signed, and powerful movements have emerged to advance the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.”

These achievements matter.

But alongside these advances remains a reality that many women know all too well. Across generations, women frequently describe the unpaid labour they provide as a “second shift”, working outside the home and then returning home to begin another round of responsibilities.

It has almost become a cultural joke.

Yet behind the humour lies a deeper truth: this contribution to society is essential, and it deserves recognition and value.

When we add the financial losses many women experience as a result of motherhood, the imbalance becomes even more visible.

This reflection is not intended as a rant, nor as a dismissal of the progress that has been made. Rather, it is a call to move beyond encouraging words toward meaningful recognition of the work that women already give every day.

If we truly believe in Give to Gain, then perhaps the first step is to acknowledge just how much women have already given. Real progress will come when the world stops asking women to give more and begins fully valuing what they have already given.