International Women's Day 2026

Give to Gain: Investing in Women, Shaping Tomorrow

By Sarah Draper

For Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than a date in the calendar, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the active role we play in advancing equality and inclusion within our industry and beyond.

In a sector where diverse perspectives drive innovation, strengthen client outcomes, and enhance organisational resilience, supporting women at every level isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic imperative.

Whether through cultivating leadership pathways, challenging structural barriers, or elevating female voices across the profession, our commitment to equality underpins who we are and how we deliver value for our clients and communities.

This year's “Give to Gain” theme encourages organisations to shift from symbolic celebration to intentional, reciprocal action. To recognising that when we give opportunities, support and time to women, when we advocate for them and support their development, we all benefit from stronger, more diverse teams and more resilient organisations. It emphasises that giving isn’t a loss, it’s an investment that expands capability, strengthens culture and unlocks collective potential.

At RLB, this philosophy is reflected in our global values Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Listening to women from across our Global offices speak about their experience of working at RLB, it’s clear to see that these values are not just words, but principles that can be seen in action every day.

It is important that, both as an organisation and as individuals, we act with integrity and speak truthfully. As Dipika Bhoora Gopal, a Partner based in our Durban office in South Africa, said: “Bringing my authentic self to work doesn't mean being unfiltered. It means being aligned. My personal values of integrity, fairness, and diligence align with RLB's professional standards. In this way, being authentic feels natural.”

In speaking truthfully, we build trust. This is about building long-term relationships with our clients, but it’s also about trusting our people. This is reflected by Deputy Director for North Asia, Pesire Lau Yuen Man, who said: “I can bring my authentic self to work because my voice is not only be respected but also truly valued. The strong foundation of trust, together with a supportive and inclusive culture can drive me to give my best every day and empower me to stay true to myself.”

By creating trust, we foster a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment where we are proud of what we build together. It is imperative that we look out for each other. In the words of Georgie Wright, our Junior Office Manager based in Leeds, UK: “Truly hearing the ideas of your female colleagues and acting on them is the best way to show that you are in their corner. The supportive environment here at RLB helps me know that my voice is valued, even at a junior level. It gives me confidence to show up as exactly who I am every day.”

While we mark IWD on 8 March, the theme “Give to Gain” is one that should be ever present. Embodying our value of tomorrow, Aisha Almarzooi, Graduate Cost Consultant based in Dubai, said: “IWD, to me it's a reminder that progress doesn't happen by chance. It happens because women before us spoke up, worked hard and created a space for us. As a woman in construction, I see it as both a celebration and a responsibility to grow, to lead, and to make it easier for the next generation of women in construction to step in with confidence.” RLB is a place where people make progress. When we commit to advancing women at every level, we are investing in stronger teams, richer perspectives and a more inclusive future because when women gain, we all gain.