This year’s International Women’s Day theme – March Forward: For All Women and Girls reminds us that progress isn’t just about reflection, but about taking action.
To mark the occasion, we asked our Advisors to share their insights on empowering the next generation, answering these two questions:
• As a UNIQ You Advisor, what would you say to a young girl to help her ‘March Forward’ with confidence?
• As a UNIQ You Advisor, what key lesson or mindset shift do you believe is essential for the next generation of girls to ‘March Forward’ towards fairness for girls and women?
Read below to see what our Advisors are saying!
Melissa MacFarlane – QFES
Give it a go, you will never truly know what you love until you try something. If you don’t love it, try something else.
These young women have every right, to have their voice heard unapologetically at the table. You do not need to apologise, for having a say on your career path, and what it is you want to achieve.
You can fake it till you make it. Even when I haven’t felt confident, I have put on a confident face, and I begin to feel confident anyway! Be bold, say yes to opportunities and don’t be scared to ask for stuff.
It’s important to surround yourself with people who will take you on your merits, not your gender.
Chantal Keane – Urban Utilities
Jessica Eadie – QFD
I would encourage a young girl to embrace her curiosity and challenge the expectations society may place on her. I would remind her that she is capable of pursuing ANY path she chooses, regardless of industry or role. By connecting with women who are thriving in non-traditional careers, she can see firsthand that there are limitless opportunities. This is her opportunity to “March Forward” and carve out her own unique journey. Confidence grows from exploring new possibilities and knowing that her potential is limitless.
We need to recognise that fairness is not about fitting into pre-defined roles or gender specific roles, but expanding the possibilities of what we can achieve. It is crucial for the next generation of girls to challenge societal stereotypes and to see themselves as capable in excelling in any field they are passionate about. And for us, it is about empowering girls to explore non-traditional careers and connecting them to role models who have broken down barriers. By doing this, we can help them “March Forward” with confidence and demand a fairer, more inclusive world for themselves and future generations.
Your voice, your ideas, and your passion matter. You are never too young, or inexperienced to make a difference! Believe in your ability to learn, adapt, and contribute. Let that voice be heard! The path may not always be easy, but you are capable of more than you know. Keep marching forward, and don’t let doubt, judgement or prejudice hold you back.
You are never alone in your struggles or moments of self-doubt. Real change happens when we uplift one another, amplify each other’s voices, and create opportunities together. Fairness isn’t about waiting for a seat at the table—it’s about building a table where everyone belongs. Stand strong, speak up, and continue breaking barriers, all while lifting other women as you rise. Nothing will be handed to you, and if you never fail, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough, you will make it!
Jennah Williams – Esri Australia (She Maps partnership)
Kerli Metsoja- Iberdrola Australia
Pursue your dreams and goals with unwavering determination and don’t listen to those that doubt you. Your journey is uniquely yours and you must create the life you want.
We must change the belief that women can’t excel in traditionally male-dominated jobs. Women have proven time and time again that they possess the skills, intelligence and determination needed to succeed in any field. Remember, if a man can do it, then a woman definitely can.
March forward with confidence by recognising your unique strengths, embracing your individuality, and trusting in your abilities. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow, and every step you take brings you closer to your goals. Believe in yourself, seek out opportunities, ask questions, and never be afraid to stand tall — you have valuable ideas, talents, and perspective that deserve to be seen and heard.
A key mindset shift for the next generation of girls is recognising that they have the power to shape their own futures and drive meaningful change. True progress comes from challenging outdated limitations, breaking barriers, and advocating for fairness in all spaces – whether in school, the workplace, or society. It is essential to cultivate resilience, embrace self-belief, and support other women along the way. By lifting each other up and standing firm in the pursuit of equality, we can create a world where every girl and woman has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and succeed without barriers.
Brodie Barker – BMD
Kirsty Bilton – TMR
Back yourself! Your journey and approach will be different to other people and that is OK. You should embrace your uniqueness and learn how to use that to your advantage.
I would love for more people to embrace an open mindset and be willing to learn from each other. With an open mindset we are more likely to embrace new ways of doing things, be more accepting of change and see failure as an opportunity to grow rather than something to be scared or ashamed of.
Always remember that life is not a competition. You simply need to be the best version of you that you can be. You are unique, and that is a good thing. If you channel your energy into embracing your differences and developing yourself, rather than comparing yourself to others, you will be happier, more confident and able to achieve so much more.
The key lesson or mindset that I believe is essential for the next generation of girls to “March Forward” towards fairness for girls and women is understand that this is needs to be a common goal for the whole community, not just the women and girls.
Jacinta Burns – Geospatial Council of Australia (She Maps Partnership)
Monica Louda – Aurecon
Know that you are loved and that this love encourages, spurs you on to be the best you can be every moment of every day!
Develop and grow a learning mindset, always ready to learn, prepared for change and constantly persevering.
Trust yourself, be yourself, you have many skills and will add value in anything you choose to do with your life, without needing the approval or blessing from others. The Key is to make decisions, set goals you would like to achieve, attack them one step at a time, try pathways and keep learning. It won’t always be easy or straightforward, it might feel scary or uncomfortable at times to get out of your comfort zone, but that is ok too. It is ok to make mistakes, trust in your learning ability, and keep moving forward.
Manage Change it is all around us: ride through setbacks by reflecting and adapting to become stronger – we all have setbacks in our career, and we need to be adaptable enough, so they don’t bring us down. Be confident and good at what you do: there were many times in my career journey where I could have believed others and given up, but I didn’t, and I just continued to advance. Know your values & believe in yourself. Surround yourself with positive and supportive networks and give support to those around you. Helping others will not take from your own value. Creating meaningful human connections and working together to achieve outcomes is fulfilling and creates a positive dynamic.
