International Women's Day (IWD) is a day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and to promote women's rights around the world.
One of the key issues facing women today is the underrepresentation of women in leadership. While there have been some notable breakthroughs, such as the election of Kamala Harris as the first female Vice President of the United States, women remain underrepresented in politics, business, and other areas of public life.
Women also continue to face widespread discrimination and violence, including sexual harassment, domestic violence, and human trafficking. These issues are particularly acute for women from marginalised communities, such as women with disabilities, Indigenous women, and women of colour.
On International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of women and call for greater action to address the ongoing struggle for gender equality. We must continue to challenge gender bias and discrimination, promote women's empowerment and leadership, and work towards a more just and equitable world.
So what can be done to address these issues and increase the representation of women in leadership positions? There are several strategies that organisations can implement to support and promote women in leadership roles:
Address gender biases and stereotypes: This requires a cultural shift within organisations, where gender biases are recognized and challenged, and women are evaluated based on their skills and accomplishments rather than their gender.
Provide mentorship and networking opportunities: Organisations can provide mentorship programs and networking opportunities for women in leadership positions, connecting them with other successful women who can offer guidance and support.
Offer flexible work arrangements: Flexible work arrangements, such as part-time or remote work, can make it easier for women to balance work and family responsibilities, and can also attract and retain talented women who may otherwise leave the workforce.
Implement diversity and inclusion initiatives: Organisations can implement diversity and inclusion initiatives that promote gender equality and create a more inclusive workplace culture.
Set targets and measure progress: Organisations can set targets for increasing the representation of women in leadership positions, and track progress towards these targets to ensure accountability and progress.
As we celebrate International Women's Day in 2023, let us celebrate the inspirational women who have made an impact in the world of leadership, and their contributions to creating a more equal, diverse and inclusive society.
What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful, and your voice matters. You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong. Kamala Harris
In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders. Sheryl Sandberg
Gender equality is not a battle of the sexes, it's a battle for equality, a battle that men and women must wage side-by-side. The empowerment of women is about the empowerment of humanity. Elizabeth Broderick
I never, ever grew up as a young woman believing that my gender would stand in the way of doing anything I wanted. Jacinda Ardern
I raise up my voice, not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. Malala Yousafzai
Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
These women in leadership have achieved tremendous success in their respective fields, breaking through barriers and paving the way for future generations. Their leadership styles have been shaped by their unique experiences and challenges, and have shown that women can be successful in any field. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we honour these inspirational women and recognize their contributions to creating a more equal and inclusive society. Let us continue to support and empower women in leadership, and work towards a world where gender does not limit potential.
At Aspirall, we work to break the bias of inequality within ourselves, we do the internal exploration in the same way we work with leaders and changemakers. As we embrace diversity and inclusion and make space for unity and collective success, we challenge ourselves to raise our level of thinking and lift our consciousness,
This IWD, we invite you to look at how you can raise your own level of thinking to invite in
more acceptance, inclusion, respect and love and celebrate the invaluable role of women in leadership and in everyday life.