Happy International Women’s Day! 💪
March 8, the world is celebrating women across the globe, their power, and achievements. At the same time, this festive day is a great opportunity to reflect on current progress and on raising awareness for meaningful change. 07-03-2025
The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is “For all women and girls”, and it calls for the younger generation to lead the way for lasting change regarding rights, equality, and empowerment.
A joint responsibility
The AVK Group is built on a high-performing and diverse group of employees, and we believe in providing equal opportunities to all within our companies. As colleagues and leaders (of any gender), we have the opportunity every day to collectively create a fair, equal and empowering work environment, where there is room for everyone’s potential to flourish – regardless of gender, age, religious beliefs, etc.
Across our Group, we have asked some of our cherished, ambitious female colleagues to share what rights, equality and empowerment mean to them in their work life. Read their contributions below.
Women empowerment, to us means having the freedom to grow, thrive, and reach our full potential without limitations. It’s about living in a world where our rights are respected, our voice is heard, and our contributions are valued - whether in the workplace or in life. We believe in Equality, ensuring that opportunities, respect, and recognition are based on talent and effort, not gender. On this International Women’s Day, we wish the women workforce of AVK more power, confidence, and success in every step they take.
AVK Valves India
Rights, equality and empowerment are more than just words – they are the foundation of a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential. In my work life, this means that every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every woman is supported to grow and lead.
Adelina Gjokaj-Gega
Accounting/Human Resources
InterApp AG
For me, rights, equality, and empowerment mean pursuing my passion for technology and business without limitations. In a technical industry, diverse perspectives make a difference, and when all voices are heard, we create better solutions together.
Emilie Kirstine Reusser
Technical Marketing Coordinator
Q-System
To me, rights mean I’m treated fairly, paid properly, and kept safe at work. Equality means I get the same chances as men to learn, earn more, or lead, not stuck in lower roles.
And empowerment helps me speak up, learn new skills, and feel strong enough to improve my life and others’—not just follow orders.
Zhao Xiaoping
RSGV Assembler
AVK Anhui
Rights give me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. From an assistant to a manager, I believe that if we are practical, hardworking and serious, we can break the gender restrictions and achieve self-worth.
Equality allows me to get fair treatment in the workplace. Whether it is promotion opportunities or pay packages, rely on ability to win recognition, I will not be judged unfairly because of gender.
Empowerment allows me to grow and give back to others. The training and support provided by the company has allowed me to continue to improve, and I have also passed this experience on to my team to help more women shine in the workplace.
Li Weili, Production Manager, AVK Anhui
To me, rights, equality, and empowerment are central values to build and develop a future that will enable women to grow in a safe and positive space where their potential is recognized and valued. The right foundation is key to creating a strong, fair, and inspiring future for the next generation of women.
Itziar Goikoetxea
People & Leadership Manager
ORBINOX VALVES INTERNATIONAL S.L.
To me, equality means being recognized for what I do rather than who I am in my job. It means working in an environment where respect is based on competence, not gender. In my job, I experience that respect every day, and that is what matters most to me and what truly empowers me.
Laura Andersen
Industrial Technician
AVK Tech ToolShop, AVK Holding A/S
I love my job. I like the fact people don’t expect me to be a welder.
Always follow your dreams, never let anyone tell you that you can’t, because you can!
One life, one chance, live it your way.
Sarah Harding
Welder, Maidstone workshop
Glenfield Invicta Ltd
Rights, equality, and empowerment means having the freedom to be myself, the opportunity to contribute equally and the power to shape my own future without limitations. It is the foundation that allows me to speak up, contribute on equal terms, and take control of my career.
I want to inspire other women to believe in their potential and break down the barriers that stand in their way, believing that we all have the power to shape our own futures, no matter who we are.
Anne Kathrine Pedersen
Factory Manager
AVK Plast A/S
Empowerment means creating your own destiny. One of the things my grandmother taught me, and I believe to this day, is to never let anyone else define who I am or how far I can go in life. I endeavor to pass this idea on to my children and my co-workers.
Take control of your own life whether it is work life or home life and make it what you want it to be. One should not let life happen to them. They should instead strive to make life happen for them.
Kimberly Courtney
Customer Service
American AVK Company
I believe that underlying equal rights, equality and empowerment is a commitment to fairness and respect for all.
Living and working in an environment where everyone is respected and, regardless of gender, opportunities are equally available to all will ensure no one is left behind. This will create opportunities that empower young women and girls of today to make a positive impact for all of our futures.
Susan McDonald
AU Group CFO
AVK Australia Holding Pty Ltd
Focus: Atplas in the UK
Today, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women everywhere. This year’s International Women’s Day calls for action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all—building a future where no one is left behind. A future where young women and girls are empowered to drive lasting change.
At Atplas, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive in every role. Recently, Alison Wadlow, the HR Officer at Atplas, won the AVK Expect Award for “Expect More of Yourself,” an accolade that is well deserved. Alison is a committed team member who consistently goes above and beyond for her colleagues. As a passionate advocate for rights, equality, and empowerment, Alison shares the following thoughts:
"Rights, Equality and empowerment for me as a women means having the freedom to be on a level playing field with everyone else, day to day. Also leaving a legacy to my daughter and her generation, that it is ok to be a strong successful woman and something to be proud of.”
Alison Wadlow, HR Officer, Atplas
We celebrate the incredible contributions and achievements of women across the globe and within our own teams.
Focus: AVK in the Middle East
Across the Middle East, AVK SVMC & AVK Gulf actively support the development of their employees by creating a work environment where everyone has the chance for career advancement and skill development. As opportunities for women's professional growth expand in the region, we are providing the skills development and wellbeing support to help our talented team thrive.
In the picture from left to right: Valerie Berthelsen, Haneen F. Dawood, Narmeen Shawli, Nouf Mohammed, and Alyona Dolgikh
A strong woman persists even when the world tells her to quit.
Fatema Moawad
Technical Sales Engineer
AVK Fusion Egypt
The strongest action for a woman is to love herself, be herself, and shine amongst those who never believed she could.
Shalini Jayakumar
Internal Sales Support
AVK Gulf
Encouraging women to join the water industry is not just about fairness — it’s about shaping a stronger, more innovative future. Access to clean water is the foundation of peace, prosperity, and health in every community. I can’t think of a more worthy challenge to be working on, and I hope it inspires my daughter’s generation to take us even further. At AVK, we’re creating an environment where everyone can help solve global water challenges because it strengthens our future.
Valerie Berthelsen, People, Learning and Leadership Development Manager, AVK SVMC
I've been working at AVK SVMC since 2013, a company that actively promotes women's empowerment. Here, equality isn’t just a concept — it’s a practice. Women are given the same opportunities, responsibilities, and positions as anyone else. My career is growing, and I’m supported by my colleagues. As a woman, I feel welcomed, valued, and heard.
Haneen F. Dawood, Procurement Specialist, AVK SVMC
Rights, equality, and empowerment in my work life mean creating an environment where every individual has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed, regardless of gender. It’s about ensuring that everyone has a voice, is treated with respect, and is given the tools and support to reach their full potential.
Narmeen Shawli, Senior Credit Controller, AVK SVMC
“Rights, Equality, Empowerment” in my work life mean creating an environment where every woman is valued and respected, given the opportunity to succeed, and supported in achieving her full potential.
When we uplift one another, we build a stronger more inclusive future for all.
Nouf Mohammed, Human Resources Specialist, AVK SVMC
Arriving in Saudi Arabia, I didn’t know what doors would open for me. Today, my knowledge and aspirations are finding a response here. AVK SVMC is not just a job, but an opportunity to grow and be heard.
Alyona Dolgikh, Marketing Executive, AVK SVMC
On their website, the UN describes the IWD theme as follows:
This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation — youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls — as catalysts for lasting change.
