Executive insights: the story behind International Women's Day
In her recent LinkedIn reflection, “International Women's Day – what are we really celebrating?”, Qiao Zhang, Deputy Director of Executive Programs at ESMT Berlin, and program director of Women in Power, challenged us to rethink what this day truly represents.
Read a short summary of Qiao's article below, or head to LinkedIn for the full, original piece.
The continuing need for International Women's Day
A lunch with women leaders and allies, and the image of Rosa Luxemburg in ESMT's three-story stained glass window, led Qiao to reflect on the origins in International Women's Day, and how they lie in protest, not celebration.
Qiao traces International Women’s Day back to women demanding “bread and roses”: economic security and dignity. As she emphasizes, the roots of the day lie in collective action for rights and systemic change.
Yet, as Qiao highlights, inequality persists. Women remain underrepresented in leadership, face pay gaps, and carry disproportionate care burdens – meaning progress is far from complete.
For Qiao, this is a call to action.
6 ways women can claim their power
Qiao shares six tips for every woman in this “protest,” and urges women to claim economic independence, speak up, and step into power, while also calling on organizations and society to address structural inequalities.
- Strive for economic independence. Have your own source of income. Money is often the heaviest weight on the scale of power within a household. It doesn’t have to be the most but it must be yours.
- Speak up – for yourself and for others. Work hard, but also learn to advocate for your value. If you already hold a microphone, pass it to women who have not yet been heard.
- Don’t fear power games. Play them at home and at work. If there isn’t a chair for us at the table, sit on the table. If we’re not there, we will never be able to rewrite the rules.
- Truly split domestic labor and childcare in half. He is not “helping.” It is his responsibility as well. Your time is not the fuel for his success. You deserve equal space to succeed.
- Learn to say no. Don’t be a pleaser for power. Don’t get trapped by the “should" currently defined by your roles. Listen to and respect your own needs and values.
- Keep learning and step into the eye of the storm. Take on difficult projects. Embrace tough challenges. Step into visible roles, even when they seem impossible. Wherever you walk in, more women will follow.
How ESMT is supporting women leaders
Importantly, Qiao warns against common pitfalls – such as expecting perfection or treating gender inequality as a women-only issue.
Qiao also points out that ESMT is honoring the International Women's Day theme of 2026: “Give to Gain” by giving out 21 rewards for woman participants with a total amount of €155,000 in the executive programs in 2026.
This includes:
- Women in Power
- Bringing Technology to Market
- Senior Management Program: The Executive GameChanger
- Executive Transition Program
- The General Management Seminar
This March, let Qiao inspire you to question how you uplift women – and what you can do to make the movement even stronger. Let that glass depiction of Rosa Luxemburg inspire us all.
You can read Qiao Zhang's full article on LinkedIn: “International Women’s Day – what are we really celebrating?”
Qiao Zhang is Deputy Director of Executive Programs at ESMT Berlin. She is also the program director for Women in Power and other customized-solution programs.
