SheSays is launching its biggest ever recruitment campaign ahead of International Women’s Day with a focus on recruiting more allies for gender equality.

The ‘She Says, We Act’ campaign is designed to recruit gender equality allies across the industry at a time in our collective history where we are rolling back on hard fought gains in equality.

According to preliminary research from recruitment consultancy Major Players, 120,000 less women are now working in the creative industry since 2021. This represents a 5% drop in the number of women in the industry.

Moving from words to deeds

SheSays wants to ensure that International Women’s Day moves beyond performative statements and instead is rooted in positive action. Action which the organisation believes is just as much the responsibility of men as women.

SheSays believes that International Women’s Day isn’t about being performative, it’s about action and support from everyone, not just women.

The campaign launches as research from Ipsos reveals that nearly 1 in 2 Britons (47%) say women’s equality has gone far enough. The research revealed that 60% of Gen Z men across 31 countries think women’s equality discriminates against men.

Embracing allyship

The campaign team believes that being an active ally in the workplace is one of the most important roles ever. So SheSays is advertising the voluntary advocacy roles as seriously as any job using LinkedIn Job Ads and taking applications via She Says, We Act. No experience necessary, full training will be provided. Once people have applied, they can use the ‘Equality Ally’ LinkedIn static across their profile image to publicly demonstrate their commitment to their network.

SheSays will also be running ally-friendly events throughout the year, and is launching an ally’s toolkit based on the findings from the campaign, which will be co-created with allies and trusted experts using industry best practice guidance. The toolkit is designed to provide resources to educate and support new allies and set the standard in the creative industry. It will also provide practical advice for people across all levels within the industry, empowering everyone to take action

International Women’s Day was created over a 100 years ago when over a million men and women came together to demand women's equal participation in society, and this campaign draws inspiration from these radical roots, inviting everyone to take an active role. It was this that inspired the ‘She Says, We Act’ campaign.

“The old adage 'united we stand, divided we fall' has never been more true than it is today, and if we hope to ‘Accelerate Action’ (The IWD 2025 theme). We need everyone informed and on board - including men - which is why SheSays are appealing for allies.” explained Ruby Norman-Curran, Co-President at SheSays London.

She continues: “Whilst SheSays remains an advocacy group for women and non-binary people, we think there’s a real chance here to start a meaningful conversation and invite those who may have previously felt like the gender equity movement was ‘not for them’ to join us in making positive change. Research shows diverse offices benefit everyone, not just women, so pushing for gender equity shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of women alone, on International Women’s Day, or any other day of the year.”

The campaign will use LinkedIn to raise awareness. Precious McCarthy and Jennifer Hayashi, Creative Directors for the campaign, explained: “And as SheSays is all about gender equality in the workplace, it made sense to use LinkedIn as our primary tool for recruiting these allies. We like to think a little disruption on the most ‘professional’ platform is in keeping with the day’s roots.” 

The campaign was also supported by a team of volunteers including Zan Stepien, Melissa Wong, Charlotte Read, Joyce Kremer, Jo Bromilow, Den Salazar, Kataryzna Wozniak, Ben Peter Catchpole, Jennifer Vobis, and Jennifer Ho.

Mikaela Dragon, Co-President of SheSays London added: “We know our industry is made up of allies, many of us are lucky enough to have already found them in our professional life. The ones who make the effort to call out inequality, or who mentor and sponsor female and non-binary talents, or use their platform to amplify underrepresented voices and support those around them. Allyship looks different for different people but it is vital for us and the industry. We appreciate and celebrate our allies and we want more of them to step forward and take an active stance with us.”

To learn more about the campaign and get involved please click here