BLOG: When we give to gain we don't just uplift women, we lift up entire communities
06.03.26 - Merseyside
International Women’s Day 2026 is an opportunity not only to celebrate women, but to take meaningful action to advance equality across our society.
This year, the global theme is “Give to Gain.”
It’s a simple idea with huge power.
Whether we’re giving our support, our time, our advocacy, or our encouragement, we create a ripple effect that helps women and girls thrive.
And when women thrive, so do our communities.
Here in Merseyside, that message sits right at the heart of the work we do.
Giving support means calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, and making sure women feel safe in every part of their lives.
It means sharing our knowledge, our resources and our platforms so that every woman and girl can reach her full potential.
That’s why tackling Violence Against Women and Girls remains one of my top priorities.
No woman or girl should ever feel unsafe — at home, at work, online, or on our streets.
Because the truth is this: no matter how talented or determined a woman is, she cannot reach her full potential if she is living in fear.
Fear stops women from walking home safely, from speaking up at work, from participating in public life, from dreaming bigger.
And when half of our population is prevented from thriving, we all lose out — our workplaces, our families, our economy, and our future.
That is why across Merseyside, we’re continuing to invest in long term action to ensure women feel safer and are safer.
Our Taking Action campaign has the lived experiences of women and girls at its heart.
Their voices guide how we challenge attitudes, prevent harm, and create safer spaces.
The campaign also asks men and boys to step up as allies, to challenge harmful behaviours, and to be active bystanders - noticing when something isn’t right and choosing to act.
Because giving to gain isn’t only about offering support; it’s about actively championing women, interrupting harmful behaviour, and helping create environments where equality can truly shine.
Being an active bystander means giving your voice, your influence, and your presence to someone who needs it.
It means helping to create workplaces, schools and communities where women feel respected, valued, and able to speak without fear.
Through initiatives like the She Inspires girls’ football programme and projects delivered through our Violence Reduction Partnership, we’re helping girls and women build confidence, resilience and new opportunities.
And we’re strengthening specialist services that give survivors the support they need to be heard, believed and protected.
This year’s theme encourages us to think about what we can all give to build a more inclusive future.
For me, that means using my platform to amplify women’s voices and open doors for others.
For our police service, it means working every day to be more representative, more compassionate, and more trusted by the communities we serve.
And I want to say this clearly: we need more women in policing.
Women bring insight, empathy, and strength that help shape a service that truly reflects our communities.
If you’re considering a career in policing—whether as an officer, staff member, volunteer, or partner organisation—your contribution could help change the future of community safety in Merseyside.
International Women’s Day is a moment to pause — but it’s also a moment to act.
To give support where it’s needed most.
To give time to someone who needs encouragement.
To give energy to improving the world around us.
And in doing so, to gain a more equal, safer and fairer society for all women and girls.
So today, let’s commit to giving.
Because when we give to gain, we don’t just uplift individual women — we lift entire communities.