International Women’s Day 2024 - Unveiling a rarely discussed aspect in diversity

As we commemorate International Women's Day this week, it's crucial to reflect on the diverse experiences of women worldwide and the strides we've made towards a more inclusive and equitable world. IWD holds significant historical importance, marking the ongoing fight for gender equality and women's rights.

We celebrate the achievements of women who excel in their careers, we admire the dedication of accomplished mothers, and we applaud those high achievers who choose to remain child-free while pursuing higher goals. Amidst our celebrations and as? we strive to inspire inclusion, we often inadvertently alienate and marginalise other women, some of whom might even be in your immediate circle of work or society.

Today I want to highlight some of those women. Did you know that in England and Wales, 18% of women who reach the age of 45 remain childless at the end of their child-bearing years? While some choose this path willingly, many find themselves involuntarily childless, facing societal expectations and personal challenges beyond their control.

Why highlight this particular group? As a society, we recognise the importance of family units. Family unit serves as the primary source of emotional support, care and socialisation. This also highlights the importance of reproduction to ensure the survival of humanity over generations. Therefore the appreciation of family and children are integral to how societies perpetuate themselves and evolve over time. Children are the future of the society and many cultures and societies have high appreciation of the role of mothers and for a lot of women the yearning to have children is a natural craving that we carry in our DNA.

As society celebrates pregnancies and births, achievement of mothers in society and workplaces, we fail to develop sensitivity towards those who are not in a position to have children. These are the women who quietly nurse heartaches and constantly have to navigate through societal pressures, prejudices and insensitive remarks that often overlook their pain. Many of them put on a brave face, some may outwardly claim it's by choice, masking the painful realities of illness, chronic conditions, or financial constraints that hinder their dreams of motherhood, such as inability to afford fertility treatments, unstable employment, even the prohibitive costs of adoption processes.

Beyond the workplace, childless women often assume caregiving roles within their own families. They become the de facto caregivers for nieces, nephews, and aging parents, adding another layer of responsibility and emotional strain to their already complex journey.

On top of that, their contributions to their families, communities and workplaces often go unnoticed, overshadowed by societal norms that prioritise traditional family structures.?

On this International Women's Day, I want to inspire you to acknowledge and embrace the diverse tapestry of womanhood, including those whose stories remain untold and overlooked. Together, let's amplify their voices, advocate for their recognition, and create a world where every woman's worth is celebrated and cherished.

As we celebrate the achievements and resilience of women everywhere, let's commit to fostering inclusivity and empathy in our communities and workplaces.?

Will you do your part?

Happy International Women's Day to all.

#InternationalWomensDay #Inclusion #EmpowerWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #Childlessness #Empathy?