Post International Women's Day 2024

Have you spoken about IWD since last Friday?

IWD is not a Hallmark day, it's a day where we can, and should, shine a light on women's rights, and break down the barriers of biases. The UN describes the day as "A day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political." The IWD describes the day as "A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women."

For me celebrating feels like the wrong word. I hesitate to say "Have a great IWD", "Happy IWD", or "Let's celebrate IWD" ... For me, it's not like that. The day is a day for women and men to build and raise each other, recognise the amazing contribution women make in all aspects of our lives, but also acknowledge that equity and equality for women is a problem globally, and it's a long term problem that needs focus way beyond IWD each year.

We're so fortunate to live in a progressive country. In some industries, you can feel the change. In some industries, you can see that change is still a long way off. Recently the gender pay gap was a big headliner in the media in Australia, which coincided nicely with the lead-up to IWD, and I feel like it impacted how IWD was perceived Down Under.

Many businesses went public on commending their female employees, and admitting that they're not there yet with gender equality in the workplace. Others had morning teas and wore purple. Guest speakers and webinars highlighting how women second guess themselves, suffer from imposter syndrome, and don't stand up for themselves enough seemed common around the country.

But did we miss the mark? Corporate Australia is just a drop in the ocean when looking at what International Women's Day stands for. In Australia, the largest growing demographic of homelessness is adult women. Family violence and sexual assault are on the rise. Childcare costs are out of control, and often unmanageable. Step off our shores and some cultures don't endorse women being educated, men can have multiple wives, women still undergo genital mutilation, human trafficking is rife, and women are used as slaves. Media has become better at portraying a mix of sizes and cultural backgrounds of women, and yet we default back to size 2 ideals of what perfect should look like to sell magazines. I can't help but feel that focusing on the workplace isn't enough, and it's missing the mark.

I hate to say it, but I found this IWD felt a bit condescending, almost having a commercialised feel about it. I'm grateful that there is a dialogue around IWD, as we need to be igniting the conversations of equity, but let's not be so insular in the way we look at it.

How many people spoke to their children and partners about IWD and what it means? How many people dipped into their pockets to support charities that are working to create opportunities for women? How many people pledged to do more, be more, and take action more when it comes to equity?

I feel that there was some man-bashing going on this year too - and that's not fair either. Equity isn't about signaling anyone out, it's about seeing us as equals; to me, it's about being treated as equals.

Sadly women are not exempt from poorly representing other women. All too often women don't support each other, some are quick to push another off the ledge, or be judgemental about another woman's success, or even worse their challenges or lowest moments in life. This needs to stop.

This year I spoke to my 10-year-old son about this day. He told me that he felt we needed a day for women because sometimes women come up with an idea but people don't hear it until a bit later when a man comes up with the same idea, then it is heard. He also felt that women don't always get the same opportunities as men. This is from a 10 year old. My heart bleeds for the world he's living in, yet rejoice in knowing that the inequalities are obvious to him, and I'm hopeful that his generation will break the mold.

I then spoke to him about some of the global challenges women face (in a 10-year-old appropriate manner) and he was aghast. He thought for a while and then announced that it was ridiculous that anyone could be like this to women, because everyone has a mum, and no one would be in this world if it wasn't for women.

My team heard from a local charity, WomenCan, which is empowering women with education and careers. The repercussions run deep here - the impact goes far beyond the individual. To further support the charity some team members chose to donate money, others chose to offer their time. We created a quote tank of quotes that support equality. And we made a pact - a commitment to live by.

Our pledge: "On International Women’s Day, and always, we pledge to accelerate progress and inspire inclusion. We stand together in supporting women, building them up, and breaking down barriers. We trust our intuition, embrace bravery, foster confidence, and encourage others to do the same. With unwavering support, we create a safe environment where every woman thrives, backed by the strength of our unity."

I'm all for IWD, but I'm all for the bigger picture too, and I'm all for the conversation extending well beyond one day of the year.

Quotes:

• “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” ~ Maya Angelou
• “Trust your instincts as a woman, whatever your role is as a mother, daughter, wife, partner, and always stay strong to what you believe. And be brave.” ~ Saskia Starr
• “It’s okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire.” ~ Collette Werden
• “Be that woman that when you put your feet down, the devil says damn she’s up.” ~ Author unknown
• “I am me, the best I can be; I will shine, the world is mine.” ~ Amy Jackson
• ”The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.” ~ Beyonce Knowles
• “If you want something said ask a man; if you want something done ask a woman.” ~ Margaret Thatcher
• “Let’s embrace the stories of women’s past to pave the path for future generations. Let our history be a beacon of empowerment, igniting the flames of progress and equality for women everywhere today.” ~ Jolene Collard
• “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” ~ Maya Angelou
• “I just want to be the woman who goes after her dream, travels the world, is kind to everyone, and looks good doing it.” ~ Author unknown
• “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger; women are already strong; it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” ~ GD Anderson
• “What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one she's already had everything she needs within herself; it's the world that convinced her she did not.” ~ Rupi Kaur
• “The world wouldn't exist without us. We birth individuals and create a place worth living in.” ~ Anshini Kant
• “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is just another steppingstone to greatness.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
• “Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic.” ~ Rosalind Russell
• “Be confident to be confident,” ~ Rebecca Magart
• “Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” ~ Michelle Obama
• “Let good energy and good vibes flow; the rest will work itself out.” ~ Sonam Karia
• “I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman; that’s me.” ~ Maya Angelou
• “Bold. Brave. Beautiful. Preserving women’s stories fuels progress; each chapter, struggle, and triumph, lights the path for equality today and tomorrow.” ~ Mandy Wright
• “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
• “Remember to have fun.” ~ Molly Konrad
• “Have the audacity to do IT!” ~ Mel Konrad
• “Behind every great woman ... is another great woman.” ~ Kate Hodges
• “When you speak with kindness; when you can put a person at the forefront of every interaction; when human spirit and connection are your focus; you can do no wrong. You WILL change the world.” ~ Laurelin Berick
• “A girl should be 2 things: who and what she wants.” ~ Coco Chanel
• “Listen to the words the people you look up to say, and aim to one day be the person look up to.” ~ Karissa Tipper