“Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration that encourages us to celebrate the women in our lives, remember those who bravely fought against gender discrimination and honour the achievements of women worldwide.
Additionally, IWD allows us to reflect on how we can collectively combat modern gender discrimination and inequalities. In terms of gender equality, we have come so far – but there is still work to do.
This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is #InspireInclusion and the theme aims to showcase the wider impact of women’s inclusion and to empower women to be present in wider spaces and conversations despite invisible barriers to entry.
Essentially, this year’s theme aims to celebrate diversity and encourage a more inclusive world for women.
Why #InspireInclusion Matters
Despite making huge amounts of progress for women’s rights in the last hundred years, we must not slow down and become complacent! By actively promoting inclusivity, both individuals and wider organisations can help build a stronger society where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Inspiring inclusion is paramount to the development of a more equal society. It promotes a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone – regardless of their gender. Promoting inclusivity ensures we build a strong society where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute, ultimately inspiring positive change for all.
How You Can Inspire Inclusion
1. Challenge your Own Biases
Unfortunately, we all have unconscious biases, so the first step is holding yourself accountable and acknowledging them. Engage in self-reflection and challenge your assumptions and perspectives!
There are plenty of online quizzes or tests to help you identify your own unconscious bias, and there are a range of resources and educational materials available on recognising gender bias, including workshops, podcasts, and articles.
2. Become an Active Listener
Pay close attention to others, seek to understand different perspectives, and avoid interrupting at all costs!
Ask open-ended questions to encourage people to share their perspectives and practice empathetic listening; try to understand experiences and viewpoints without judgement.
3. Use Inclusive Language
Be mindful of the language you use, be aware of stereotypes or generalisations, and avoid gendered language that reinforces traditional gender roles.
Be mindful of language that objectifies or belittles women, and use inclusive language where possible, like ‘chairperson’ instead of ‘chairman.’
💡 Don’t assume, ask people how they prefer to be addressed and use and respect chosen pronouns.
4. Become an Ally
Speak out against harmful language or behaviour, and speak up for others who experience bias or discrimination. It is crucial to intervene when you witness instances of sexism, prejudice, discrimination, or disrespect.
Support initiatives that promote inclusivity and gender equality, such as mentoring programmes for young women or volunteering for organisations that advocate for women’s rights, and amplify the voices of women by sharing their achievements.
How your Organisation Can Inspire Inclusion
1. Develop Clear Policies
Implement comprehensive policies against discrimination and harassment, ensuring everyone feels safe and respected.
This could include a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based discrimination and harassment, which clearly defines unacceptable behaviour and outlines the complaint process.
2. Conduct Diversity & Inclusion Training
Provide training for all employees, leadership, and managers on topics like unconscious bias, cultural competency, and microaggression.
We recommend training modules that specifically address unconscious bias towards women, highlighting common stereotypes and their harmful consequences.
3. Promote Diverse Representation
Make a conscious effort to build diverse teams and reflect the broader community. This includes actively recruiting from underrepresented groups and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
This could include setting measurable goals to increase the representation of women in leadership and management positions across your departments, which will allow you to track your EDI progress and efforts.
4. Create an Inclusive Work Environment
To ensure accessibility for individuals and provide accommodations as needed, we recommend offering flexible work arrangements like remote working (where possible!) or compressed work weeks to cater to diverse needs and responsibilities, particularly those often disproportionately faced by women.
5. Gather Feedback
Regularly survey employees about their experiences and actively seek suggestions for improvements. You can track progress towards your inclusion goals and make adjustments as needed.
We recommend conducting anonymous employee surveys to encourage more engagement, that are based on things like recruitment, promotions, and compensation, to help you identify and address any existing gender disparities.
How to Get Involved with International Women’s Day 2024
This year, we encourage you to consider the part you and your organisation can play in actively promoting inclusivity and bringing about tangible change. Consider the points above carefully, and try to implement them where you can.
To promote IWD and showcase your commitment to inclusion, you can strike this year’s love heart pose and share a picture on social media. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags! We recommend using #IWD2024 and #InspiringInclusion 😊
Additionally, you can take action for gender equality by supporting women-led businesses and organisations through conscious consumerism and volunteering. You can also participate in local IWD events and activities.