A look back at a powerful day of collaboration, creativity, and impact for women and girls.
Gender equality is falling behind. As UN Women warns, we will not achieve gender equality by 2030, and women’s rights continue to be eroded globally. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to amplify the voices of organisations fighting for women and girls.
That’s why on 5 March 2025, Media Trust hosted its ninth annual Women’s Voices event, bringing together 15 charities supporting women and girls with over 100 media and creative industry volunteers from organisations like the BBC, Dentsu, Google, and Meta. Held in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, the event wasn’t just about networking, it was about action.
Charities working across disability rights, mental health, domestic abuse, kinship care, and more were matched with expert volunteers to elevate their chosen campaigns and reach their communications goals. Through creative brainstorming, strategic planning, and hands-on collaboration, charities left with tailored strategies to strengthen their campaigns, mobilise supporters, and drive real change in 2025.
Inspired is an understatement. The women (and men) present at the Women’s Voices event both from a charity and volunteer POV were all so inspiring and insightful.
Katerina, Volunteer
A highlight of the day was an inspiring keynote from Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin, award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of the menstrual equity charity Bloody Good Period. Gabby spoke passionately about the role of strategic, human-focused brand communications in driving social change, challenging attendees to rethink how they tell their stories and engage audiences.
Her insights reinforced a key theme of the event: impactful communications aren’t just about raising awareness, they’re about shifting perspectives, driving action, and ultimately improving the lives of the people charities serve.
Stick to your values like glue.
Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin
The strength of Women’s Voices lies in its lasting impact. We’ve loved seeing this impact already being felt, from MG OMD volunteers shouting proudly about their experience, to the Music Relief Foundation sharing with their networks. By building connections between charities and media professionals, the event provides charities with the skills, confidence, and industry insights they need to amplify their missions long after the day itself.
For many, the opportunity to receive expert guidance and fresh perspectives proved invaluable. As Keli from Mummy’s Star shared:
As a one-person Comms team, being able to brainstorm and plan with a group of professionals in my area was incredibly beneficial. They provided alternative views and insights which then led to a clear and actionable plan that is much richer and more exciting than anything I could have created alone!
Keli, Mummy's Star
At Media Trust, we know that when charities have access to the right expertise and resources, they can transform the way they communicate, grow their impact, and create real change. Women’s Voices is a testament to the power of collaboration and the role of communications in advancing gender equality.
As we reflect on another successful event, the stories, strategies, and connections formed on the day will continue to drive impact throughout the year. To keep the momentum going, we’re delivering post-event support sessions, including workshops on PR, analytics and social media, to help charities put their plans into action and maximise their reach. We can’t wait to see their campaigns come to life and amplify their vital work in the months ahead.
Interested in taking part in next year’s Women’s Voices event? Keep an eye on Media Trust’s events page to get involved.
All of the organisations yesterday deserve to pat themselves on the back, be proud of what they've done and know that they were part of yesterday’s event for a reason: you make a difference.
Colin, Volunteer
A huge thank you to our keynote speaker Gabby, our hosts at Meta, and the incredible charities and volunteers who took part in the day. We know that for many charity teams, often juggling multiple roles, working part-time, or stretched across different areas of work, taking a full day out is no small commitment.
Alongside this, our volunteers generously gave their time and expertise to support these vital organisations. Your dedication and energy made the event what it was, and we’re so grateful for your help in drive real change for women and girls across the UK.
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