Tomorrow is International Women’s Day (IWD), and we’re reflecting on this year’s theme: #AccelerateAction.
Right now, the world is on track to reach full gender parity by 2158. That’s FIVE generations from now. Not sure about you, but we’ll be long dead 💀
#AccelerateAction highlights the need to take meaningful steps toward gender equality, not just in the workplace but across all areas of life. It’s about calling out bias, amplifying women’s voices, and creating space for real change.
For IWD, we’re also taking a moment to celebrate all the talented women that make Bolster Group what it is. From leading culture-shaping campaigns to driving real change in the industry, their contributions inspire us every day.
For this very special IWD edition of Side B, we asked the Bolster Group team:
💡 What’s one small or practical thing we can do to accelerate action for gender equality in our industry?
🎧 What woman-identifying artist are you listening to lately?
Here’s what they had to say:
Alice Lewinsky (Common State)
💡 We all know men at work dominate positions of power (duh). They get the invites, they attend the meetings and they accept the awards. I would challenge men in these roles to actively defer these opportunities (where feasible) to the women working alongside them. Give up your seat at the table on occasion or make room for a female team member to join you there.
🎧 Nao
Ben Wills (Bolster)
💡 Speak up. When you witness inequality, call it out. Challenge harmful behaviours and language. Change should not rest solely on the shoulders of women, non-binary people, and other marginalised communities.
🎧 Little Simz and I’ve also been rinsing Billie Eilish before and after her show this week.
Cat Burton (Bolster)
💡 Call out inappropriate behaviour when you see it and do not accept "boys will be boys" attitudes.
🎧 Still obsessed with Brat and Charli XCX.
Darren Levin (Bolster)
💡 Make space. This involves more than just having women in the room — it is actively listening and stepping back. As men, we need to create environments where everyone feels comfortable and empowered to contribute.
🎧 Nala Sinephro and Marina Allen.
Em Nygard (Bolster)
💡 It is still not a level playing field out there. Women have a tendency to undervalue the work they do, so taking time to celebrate the successes of women and offering encouragement to take the lead are small actions we can all do to create a workplace where women feel more empowered.
🎧 Ravyn Lenae, Rachel Chinouriri and Doechii.
Evie Doran (Bolster)
💡 Do not be a follower, call out unwanted behaviour. Toxic masculinity can include but is not limited to, talking over women, undermining women’s credibility and authority, and backlash for assertiveness. Creating real change starts with holding oneself and others accountable. Respect, inclusivity, and equality are not optional, they are the baseline.
🎧 Astrid Sonne
Giulia Ballerini (Bolster)
💡 Education. Ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion training and initiatives.
🎧 Róisín Murphy
Jaddan Carroll (Common State/Superstate)
💡 Prioritise listening, self-reflection, and speaking up when needed. With the more toxic aspects of masculinity still being rewarded in many spaces (hi America!), it feels vital to challenge outdated norms, back women’s voices, and actively advocate for change.
🎧 Beth Gibbons
Jonathan Mandel (Bolster)
💡 Listen up and speak up (at the right times). Really listen and make sure everyone is heard, do not just wait for your turn to speak. But speak up when something does not seem right.
🎧 White Lung
Leigh-Anne Ramirez (Common State)
💡 Call it out. It is 2025, so here is to calling out gender-based micro-aggressions that casually drop into conversation — whether it is in a client brainstorm setting, at a photoshoot, or over email.
🎧 Sachiko Kanenobu
Paige X. Cho (Bolster)
💡 We need to recognise and value the contributions of women in music, especially as the end consumer. Society has placed male artists and male fans on a pedestal since forever as more “intellectual” or talented. In reality, women and girl fans are actually the lifeblood of the music industry, turning up to shows in the millions, buying merch, streaming songs on repeat, and creating supportive communities. All of this revenue actually supports the whole ecosystem by funding infrastructure and allowing opportunities for small and medium-sized artists to get signed to labels or be booked by promoters. Plus, we cannot forget that the girlie earworms are actually musical masterpieces!
🎧 St. Vincent
Rachel Le Roux (Bolster)
💡 Active listening. Stepping back to try to understand a perspective that is not yours can make a world of difference in creating spaces where women feel empowered to speak up. Also, changing the mental vocabulary of characteristics that are typically associated with women in workplaces versus men.
🎧 FKA Twigs
Rory Stanway (Bolster)
💡 Be cognisant of sharing or reacting to social content that might indirectly push ideas that hold back progress. The gap between progressive and conservative views in younger generations is growing, especially when it comes to gender. Content like this does big damage to lasting change.
🎧 Qendresa
Sara Regan (Bolster)
💡 When someone brushes off harmful situations with a "boys will be boys" attitude, call it out. The only way we can make real change is breaking this cycle, one conversation at a time.
🎧 Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae
Sophie Bloomfield (Bolster)
💡 Take the time to bring other women up with you (or alongside for men and non-binary folks) and share knowledge with younger or otherwise less privileged women in the industry. There are tons of incredible women at the top, but that first toe in the door can often be the hardest bit.
🎧 FKA Twigs
🧠 Want to Learn More?
Here are some Australian resources championing gender equality in our industry:
🔗 One of One – Celebrating and supporting women and gender-diverse people in the Australian music industry.
🔗 UN Women Australia – Working to accelerate gender equality globally.
🔗 Victorian Women’s Trust – Funding and advocating for gender equality initiatives.
🔗 Women in Media – Supporting the careers of women in journalism, marketing, and communications.
🔗 Diversity Council Australia – Research-driven resources for creating more inclusive workplaces.
🔗 Girls Rock! Australia – Empowering young women and gender-diverse people through music.
🔗 Making the Call – A program supporting gender equality in sports broadcasting and media.
🧠 Listen: Bolster Group’s IWD Playlist
Like what you’ve seen above? Get in touch with Bolster Group — your eye on culture.