How to Be an Ally for Women: Actionable Steps for Everyone

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. Advocacy and allyship are crucial in ensuring that women—of all backgrounds, races, and identities—are treated with respect, equity, and dignity.

Whether you identify as a woman or not, there are countless ways to show up, support, and push for change. Here’s how you can be an ally for women, backed by statistics that highlight the ongoing challenges they face.

1. Advocate for Equal Pay

The gender wage gap persists despite years of advocacy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the U.S. earned 83 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2023. The gap is even wider for women of color—Black women earn approximately 64 cents, and Latina women earn about 57 cents to every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

How to be an ally:

• Encourage salary transparency in your workplace.
• Support policies and legislation aimed at closing the wage gap.
• Advocate for fair compensation for women in all industries.

2. Challenge Gender Bias in the Workplace

Women are often subject to workplace biases that hinder their career growth. A study by McKinsey & Company found that for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 87 women are promoted—and for women of color, the number drops to 82.

How to be an ally:

• Speak up when you witness discrimination or bias.
• Mentor and sponsor women in your field.
• Push for inclusive hiring and promotion policies.

3. Support Women-Owned Businesses

​In 2024, companies founded solely by women secured approximately 1% of all U.S. venture capital (VC) funding, down from the roughly 2% they received in previous years. However, when considering companies with at least one female founder, the share of total VC deal value was 19.9% in 2024, a slight decrease from 20.8% in 2023.

Despite these challenges, there were positive developments: 13 companies with at least one female founder achieved unicorn status in 2024, and female-founded companies accounted for a record 24.3% of total U.S. VC exits, indicating strong performance and potential for growth.

How to be an ally:

• Shop at women-owned businesses and highlight them on social media. 
• Advocate for equal funding opportunities in investment spaces.
• Support organizations that provide resources for women entrepreneurs.

4. Believe and Support Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

One in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization.

How to be an ally:

• Listen to and believe survivors.
• Support organizations that assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Advocate for policies that protect and support survivors.

5. Amplify Women’s Voices

Women’s ideas, contributions, and leadership are often overlooked. Studies show that men dominate conversations in meetings, often interrupting or speaking over women.

How to be an ally:

• Encourage and uplift women’s voices in meetings, panels, and discussions.
• Share and credit their ideas rather than speaking over them.
• Promote gender-diverse leadership.

6. Educate Yourself and Others

Understanding the systemic challenges women face is a crucial part of allyship. Studies show that unconscious biases play a significant role in workplace and societal gender disparities.

How to be an ally:

• Read books and articles by women scholars, activists, and leaders.
• Take workshops on gender bias and inclusion.
• Engage in conversations about gender equity and challenge misconceptions.

7. Advocate for Better Healthcare and Reproductive Rights

Women’s health, particularly reproductive rights, is a critical issue. In the U.S., maternal mortality rates are significantly higher for Black women, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the CDC.

How to be an ally:

• Support policies that ensure access to quality healthcare for all women.
• Speak up for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.
• Donate to organizations that provide healthcare services for women.

8. Engage in Intersectional Feminism

Women experience discrimination differently based on race, sexuality, disability, and socioeconomic status. Intersectional feminism acknowledges these layered experiences and fights for equity across all identities.

How to be an ally:

• Listen to and uplift marginalized voices.
• Acknowledge and address privilege in advocacy efforts.
• Support grassroots movements led by diverse women.

Conclusion

Allyship is more than just a title—it’s an active, ongoing commitment to creating a more equitable world for women. By advocating for policy changes, amplifying voices, and challenging biases, we can all contribute to a fairer society.

This Women’s History Month, commit to action. Being an ally doesn’t mean being perfect—it means continuously learning, listening, and doing the work to make real change.

How will you show up as an ally this month—and beyond?