Celebrating International Women's Day

Every year, 8 March commemorates International Women's Day (IWD) - A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This day also kickstarts the campaign theme for the year which is in place to allow both women and men to stand together as a unified force and work together towards a common goal. The IWD theme for 2018 is #PressforProgress and marks a call to action to accelerate gender parity in all countries.

With findings from the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report stating that gender parity is over 200 years away - it is important to acknowledge that we need to #PressforProgress. Whilst the advent of global movements such as #MeToo, #HeforShe and #TimesUp have encouraged women to stand up for their rights and be recognised for making a positive contribution to society, we need to keep this strong momentum going to be able to achieve gender parity.

We caught up with Julie, Georgie and Jess who are at different stages of their careers with SThree to discuss their views on IWD.

Meet Julie - our fabulous Operations Manager

What does IWD personally mean to you?

To me, it means celebrating being a woman and being a mother juggling both career and family.

How are you celebrating IWD this year?

In the past, women in the office used to celebrate with a lunch on IWD. This year, our male colleagues who are all supporters of gender equality, will be joining us in this celebration. We will all come together as an office to discuss the ways we can #PressforProgress before attending a picnic lunch in Hyde Park. We will also have freshly baked pink cupcakes delivered to the office.

How will you #PressforProgress?

I will keep celebrating women’s achievements in the office as well as everyone else's achievements throughout the year. IWD is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

Who is the most inspiring woman to you?

Michelle Obama. She was raised in a one bedroom apartment in Chicago before she went on to study at Princeton and Harvard to become an intellectual property lawyer. She is considered one of the most stylish leading lady and a devoted mother. In my opinion, there’s nothing that she cannot do. Michelle Obama is an inspiration to all.

How has your identity evolved with SThree? 

SThree has provided me with an inclusive working environment where I am able to have a voice and grow in my role. Through our flexible working arrangement, I have been able to maintain a work-life balance without compromising the quality of my work and my ability to look after my family. SThree has allowed me to be more confident in my capabilities and I feel supported and empowered to take on more responsibilities within my role as Operations Manager for Australia and the broader APAC region.

Meet Georgie - our dedicated Principal Consultant

How will you #PressforProgress?

I am aiming to maintain a gender parity mindset. Working in recruitment I know I can make a difference when it comes to gender parity for my clients - not just by introducing female candidates to the interview process but also by sharing knowledge of practices that different companies are using to remove bias. I am very aware that using gender-neutral vocabulary and offering flexibility on interview times can improve the gender ratio of applications. However it is worth noting that when I go through the candidate screening process, all applicants are treated equally and that it comes down to meritocracy - i.e. which candidate stands out in terms of culture fit with the company, skills and experience.

Tell us something people might not know about you

Women account for at least four-in-ten in the labor force in many countries. However, in my family I am one of three daughters. So my dad is severely outnumbered.  

Who is the most inspiring woman to you?

Emma Watson. Not just because I am a Harry Potter fan but because she is an United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador advocating for gender equality and has been a key speaker in several campaigns such as HeforShe - a solidarity campaign for the advancement of women initiated by UN Women. One of my favourite quotes from her was when she said:

"My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that made me who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are changing the world today. And we need more of those". - Emma Watson

What is the most important message you want to send out to all women around the world?

It has taken a long time to get to where we are today and IWD is a great opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made. We still have a long way to go but we will eventually get there with everyone’s support and hard work. 

Meet Jess - our rock star consultant

Who is the most inspiring woman to you?

My mum. She is someone who inspires me every day. She helped fund and support my three siblings and me through university and even to her regret, helped me move to Sydney. She is constantly striving to better herself and is about to sit for her exams to become head teacher at her school. One thing she has taught me is that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. However I have to admit that it would not have been possible without her support. That is why I think it is so important that women support and empower each other to create an environment where we feel confident enough to keep reaching higher - both professionally and personally. 

How will you #PressforProgress?

I am working to forge positive visibility of women. My manager is female and she has been a huge influencer in how I have grown and developed my skills. I have been lucky to work in a team where I have a manager who is a great female role model in the business and is respected and recognised for her contribution. She is someone that I would like to emulate as I progress in my career.

In your opinion, what issues are women facing in the workplace?

I recognise that in male-driven industries such as engineering and mining, women are more likely to battle against gender-based stereotypes such as being called 'too bossy' for being assertive. There may also be a ‘boys club culture’ which some women may find hard to relate to or feel excluded. In situations like this, it is important for management to take action and not discredit the effectiveness of women in the workforce due to gender bias.

How has your identity evolved with SThree?

Being surrounded by exemplary females in the office, I have become more goal-driven. Last year, I voiced my interest in taking on a leadership role and SThree gave me the opportunity to step up and take charge of the rapport group. In this role, I currently assist the Operations Manager with event planning such as sports events and client entertainment.

Name the accomplishment you are most proud of

My biggest accomplishment is moving to Sydney on my own, getting a job at SThree and making a whole new life for myself. I have to admit this has been very challenging at times but at the end of the day, it has been a fulfilling experience.

Did you know…

• 1908 was the year that 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. This was the first time that women became vocal and active in campaigning for gender equality.
• Purple is internationally recognised as a colour that symbolises women.
• 1975 was the date that the United Nations got involved, making IWD official.
• International Men's Day (IMD) takes place on November 19 each year and is celebrated in 60 countries around the world. IMD focuses on men's and boys' health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality and highlighting contributions to community, family, marriage and childcare.

If you would like to find out more about SThree and opportunities to be part of a company with an inclusive environment that strives to improve gender balance at all levels, please feel free to contact us on 0292 85 1000.