As a father there is little more important to me than ensuring my daughter grows up in a world where she is valued, respected, and empowered to pursue her dreams without limitations. International Women's Day is important, not only because it celebrates the achievements of women around the world but also because it serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality.

I want my daughter to have access to the same opportunities as her male counterparts, whether it's in education, employment, or leadership positions. I want her to live in a society where she feels safe, respected, and empowered to speak up against injustice and discrimination.

And if she chooses to have children, I hope society will have advanced so that choice doesn’t leave her worse off when it comes to her pay and pensions. I hope the motherhood penalty no longer exists, and that shared parental leave (which is really shared maternity leave) has been replaced by ring-fenced leave for fathers that is at least six weeks and paid at 90% salary, enabling more fathers to be present in those early weeks and months.

I started Fathercraft because I believe in equal parenting, in tackling the assumption that mothers should shoulder the primary responsibility for caregiving and then suffer the economic impact that brings. It’s one small action, but one I hope over time will contribute to meaningful change and advance gender equality.