Mindful Business

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By Beth Bell

The case for International Women’s Day and the fight for gender parity

Per the International Women’s Day website: “none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will many of our children. Gender parity, a statistical measure that compares a particular indicator among women, like average income, to the same indicator among men. Following the setback of the pandemic, the global gender gap has widened from 100 years to 136 years to get there.

Interesting facts:

• If every country had centered gender into their economic recovery plans via gender mainstreaming, we could have added $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030. It’s not enough to admire—or even agonize over—the problem of inequity. We are sitting on a $3.4 trillion economic opportunity in the U.S. alone. It’s time to move the needle on gender equity. (Katica Roy)

• Gender equity in politics matters because women are 10 percent more effective legislators and deliver 9 percent more money in federal programs to home districts compared to men politicians, according to a study published by the American Journal of Political

Science.

It wasn’t that long ago that women weren’t “allowed” to be the CEO or Board President of a Chamber. In 1986, less than three percent of Chambers in metro cities were run by women*. Women are under-represented in local (25-30%), state (30%) and national (25%) government roles. These are the organizations that Chambers and minority business groups work with to influence decisions that impact business and quality of life. It’s important for women to be at the table and I’m not afraid to pull up my own chair. *Magicians of Main Street

The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a 10 -month women’s LeadHERship series beginning with the kickoff on March 8th, International Women’s Day at South County Library. All women are invited to register for the IWD event or the entire series, where topics such as Creating a Sense of Belonging, the Neuroplasticity of Women, Dealing with Conflict in Conversation, and the importance of serving in a local government position to make change will be highlighted. Contact Beth at director@s-rcchamber.org for more information.

Executive Summary:

The pandemic continues to negatively impact virtually every aspect of women’s lives, from employment to physical and mental health.

Beth Bell is the executive director for the SalemRoanoke County Chamber of Commerce and helped found FemCity Roanoke, a business networking community for women. Contact her at bethboydbell@gmail.com.