While International Women’s Day (IWD) is an important celebration of achievements made and alliances forged, it’s also an urgent call to action. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ encourages businesses, industries, policy makers and leaders to push for faster, more meaningful – and more sustainable – progress in gender equity.
Bramwith Consulting is a proudly women-owned business. We’re committed to empowering women in procurement and supply chain, recruitment and the wider business world. Through our community, industry partnerships and recruitment expertise, we champion leadership opportunities for women and advocate for diversity at every level. This article explains our commitment and approach, including supporting the inspirational team at WEConnect International and being part of their community.
Bramwith’s commitment to women in procurement and supply chain
Since our inception in 2006, Bramwith has been committed to increasing opportunities for women in the industry and campaigning for equality. We understand first-hand the challenges women face when progressing in procurement and supply chain roles and are dedicated to helping them overcome barriers, identify opportunities, access leadership pathways and have their voice heard.
Our commitment extends far beyond recruitment. We actively seek out and support industry and community initiatives that drive change, ensuring that the next generation of female leaders – from the first step on the career ladder to retirement – has the visibility, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive.
As Founder and Managing Director of Bramwith, IWD is so important to the business. Empowering women in procurement and supply chain is an extremely worthy and vital goal. It’s also a necessity. At Bramwith, we believe in accelerating progress by ensuring talented women are seen, supported and given the leadership opportunities they deserve. International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the work still to be done and we’re committed to listening to women in our community, opening up discussions, creating alliances and driving that change.
Building a stronger community with WEConnect International
Being part of WEConnect International’s community reflects this commitment. WEConnect International connects women-owned businesses with global buyers, ensuring more money is available to women entrepreneurs. Their mission aligns perfectly with our own: ensuring that female professionals and business owners are given equitable opportunities to succeed.
Being part of their community strengthens our community as well as broadens access to career growth, investment and leadership opportunities for women in procurement and supply chain.
Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International had this to say: “Women drive 80% of consumer spending yet receive just 1% of corporate and government procurement spend. This is a market failure we cannot afford to ignore. To create real change, we must connect women-owned businesses with major buyers, increase their visibility and expand access to opportunities. The time for action is now.”
The reality for women-owned businesses
While progress has been made, the numbers highlight the urgent need for action:
- Women own around 34% of businesses worldwide, yet receive less than 1% of global corporate procurement spend.
- Just 26% of C-suite positions in the supply chain industry are held by women.
Some of the reasons why women are still underrepresented in global supply chains
Despite progress in gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in global supply chains due to systemic barriers:
- Historical and legal restrictions: Women were long excluded from owning businesses, securing loans, or signing contracts. While laws have changed, many structural barriers still limit access to markets and funding.
- Exclusive business networks: Corporate supply chains evolved through legacy relationships and closed networks that historically excluded women, making it harder for female entrepreneurs to connect with key buyers.
- Limited access to capital: Women-owned businesses receive less than 2% of global venture capital funding, restricting their ability to scale, compete for large contracts, and meet demand.
- Lack of visibility: Many corporations and governments struggle to identify qualified women-owned suppliers, leading them to default to existing networks and reinforcing the cycle of underrepresentation.
Without deliberate efforts to address these challenges, women will continue to face challenges to achieve full participation in global supply chains.
Accelerating action for a more inclusive future
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, ‘Accelerate Action’, resonates deeply with our mission. Change simply must happen faster. At Bramwith, we are actively driving action and creating change by:
- Promoting female leadership through inclusive hiring practices and career development support.
- Advocating for greater gender diversity in procurement and supply chain recruitment.
- Strengthening our community by aligning with organisations like WEConnect International to expand opportunities for women-owned businesses.
But real progress requires collective effort. Businesses across procurement and supply chain must take meaningful steps to support gender equity, whether by partnering with women-owned businesses, fostering leadership pathways for female employees, or prioritising diversity in hiring.
Take action with Bramwith
We hope this article has shown our commitment to empowering women in business. We believe in the power of action, not just empty promises. By working together, we can accelerate change and create a more inclusive, diverse and successful procurement and supply chain industry – and a fairer society where every voice has the chance to be heard.
If you’re ready to take action, connect with Bramwith Consulting today and be part of the movement towards a stronger, more equitable future.
