Reclaiming my power: A journey of strength, resilience and empowerment

International Women's Day has always been a time for reflection — a moment to look at how far we've come and the battles we still fight every day. This year, as I think about the theme of ‘Empowerment Through Innovation, Resilience in Adversity, and Collective Action for Equality’, I realise that my own journey embodies each of these in ways I never expected.

Growing up, I was taught to be strong but not too strong. To be ambitious but not too ambitious. The world around me had an unspoken rule: women can dream, but only within certain limits. And for a while, I believed that.

I remember the moment that changed everything for me. I was in a room full of people, an important client and managers who had the power to make decisions that would affect my future. I had ideas, solutions, and a voice that was eager to be heard. But every time I tried to speak, I hesitated. I questioned myself. Was I good enough? Did I deserve to be there?

The moment I finally spoke up, I spoke confidently and was assertive in knowing what I was saying was correct. This was the moment I reclaimed my power. It wasn’t just about that meeting — it was about rewriting the narrative I had been given. It was about proving to myself that I was more than capable, that I deserved a seat at the table.

Life has a way of testing us, pushing us to our limits to see if we’ll break or rise. I’ve faced setbacks that made me question everything. There were days when I felt like I was climbing a never-ending mountain, only to slide back down just as I got close to the top.

But every time I fell, I got back up. Because that’s what women do. We adapt, we evolve and we keep moving forward even when the odds are stacked against us. My journey has been filled with moments of doubt, of exhaustion, of wanting to give up. But the fire inside me refused to go out.

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never failing — it’s about rising every single time you do. And with each setback, I became stronger, wiser and more determined to carve my own path.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about individual achievements, it’s about lifting others up along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the women and male allies who came before me, who shattered ceilings and made space for voices like mine.

Now, I do my best to pay it forward. Whether it’s mentoring, supporting women in my industry, or simply reminding a friend that she is enough, I know that real change happens when we stand together.

International Women’s Day is a reminder that our fight isn’t over. That while we’ve come so far, there’s still work to be done. And that every single one of us has a role to play in shaping a future where no woman has to shrink herself to fit into someone else’s idea of what she should be.

So, to every woman reading this: Keep going. Keep fighting. Keep taking up space. The world needs your voice, your strength, your light. And if you ever doubt yourself, just remember you are already breaking barriers.