BCC launches three-year gender equity campaign on International Women’s Day

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) worked with leading panel provider Find Out Now to conduct a landmark survey of more than 4,100 respondents in February 2023. The research found that two thirds of women feel they have missed out on career progression because of childcare responsibilities.

The survey looks at the perceived impact childcare, general caring responsibilities and menopause have on a person’s career, as well as the support available to those impacted by the issues.

Childcare

Two-thirds (67%) of female respondents who have had childcare responsibilities in the last 10 years felt they missed out on career progression as a result. This includes career development, pay rises and/or promotions. For male respondents who have had childcare responsibilities, 35 per cent believed they missed out. Almost two-thirds (62%) of female respondents said they would prefer to take time from paid work for childcare responsibilities, compared to 55 per cent of male respondents.

General caring responsibilities

77 per cent of male respondents believe there is not sufficient support available for people with non-paid caring responsibilities for elderly or disabled relatives or friends. This figure increases to 86 per cent for female respondents. For those who have had caring responsibilities in the last 10 years, an equal proportion (52%) of males and female respondents felt they missed out on career progression as a result of their duties.

Menopause

Almost three quarters (74%) of female respondents feel there is not sufficient support for those experiencing menopause. One in three (34%) female respondents who have gone through menopause felt that it impacted their career negatively. However, there is a higher level of concern about the impact of menopause on a woman’s career amongst those who are yet to experience it. Almost half (43%) of female respondents believe they will miss out on career opportunities due to menopause.

Levelling Up for Women in the Workplace

The BCC is committed to facing these challenges head on by levelling up for women in the workplace, through an urgent three-year Chamber campaign. The campaign will be based on a threepoint plan, to include:

1. Short-term action: Convene employment experts, Chamber CEOs and employers to create a Chamber Workplace Equity Commission

2. Medium-term work: The commission to analyse research findings and case studies, to develop policies for Government and best practices for businesses enshrining equity in the workplace.

3. Long-term goal: Re-run the same survey with the aim of moving the dial on the findings we are publishing today.

Top Tips from Iwona Lebiedowicz, founder of PAB Languages Centre

Across the globe, every year, in more than 80 countries, people celebrate International Women’s Day. The earliest Women’s Day believed to be held in February 1909, in New York.

8 March is a global celebration day dedicated to honouring and celebrating women’s academic, social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

#EmbraceEquity

Each year, a theme accompanies this celebration. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign is to get the world talking about “Why equal opportunities aren’t enough” with series of thought-provoking events held online and in-person across the United Kingdom and beyond.

How is International Women’s Day celebrated across the world?

While International Women’s Day is recognised around the world, the way it is celebrated looks different from nation to nation. In some countries, the occasion is treated as an opportunity to praise and honour women, in other countries, International Women’s Day is a time for activism and protests.

Every country has its own unique way of celebrating the day, recognising that change is needed to support women and girls’ awareness, capacities, and abilities, and to create opportunities and an enabling environment for empowerment.

The United Kingdom

People across the UK celebrate women’s achievements and contributions with a series of events and engagements. The day is usually marked with marches, special events, and debates. The Women of the World event (including International Women’s Day), which takes place in London over three days, brings together activists, lecturers, and entertainers to address global issues affecting women. The colours that represent IWD (Purple, Green and White) originated from the Women’s Social and

Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom. Purple represents justice and dignity. Green signifies hope. White symbolises purity.

Poland

Taking place on 8 March, Women’s Day in Poland today is a day to celebrate and honour women for their achievements. The tulip is today’s most popular IWD gift. Women’s Day was established in Poland in 1910 and until 1993 it was even a Public Holiday skilfully used by the socialist governments to promote the image of a woman, as the leading lady of work, who through effort and dedication supported her country. It was a mandatory day of celebration in workplaces and schools. Women would receive products that were generally difficult to find back then, such as tights, towels, or coffee. This is why there are still some people consider the Women’s Day a socialist hangover. Over the last decade marches, debates and protests for women’s rights and gender equality take place across the country.

Portugal

Celebrating in Portugal involves marches, debates, live music, and food events organised through Portugal. International Women’s Day is both a day of tradition of giving women gifts and of actively prompting greater respect for women in general, with flowers and chocolates being considered amongst the most popular gifts.

Italy

In Italy, International Women’s Day is referred to as La Festa Della Donna when people cherish and celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about inclusion and belonging. People in Italy celebrate the day by offering mimosa flowers to the women in their lives, similar to how red roses are given on Valentine’s Day. The yellow flower was chosen in part because it blooms in early March and is generally inexpensive. Women commonly pass sprigs of mimosas to one other as a show of female solidarity and unity, which is also considered as a symbol of female strength.

China

China has observed International Women’s Day since 1949 and from 2014, women are entitled to a half-day holiday for Women’s Day. On 8 March employers are encouraged - though not obliged - to give their female staff a half-day off and men are encouraged to purchase presents for the women in their lives. While the primary objective of Women’s Day celebrations is to demonstrate love and respect for women, thoughtprovoking talks, important meetings, and award ceremonies linked to women are also organised across the country.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 20th century. Much like Russia and Italy, the country celebrates women by giving and receiving flowers and other gifts. Each year, in the cities, special events are organised with women. Many shopping centres organise workshops and a variety of shows, such as make-up shows, booths with tips from stylists, or advice from experts in the fields of health and beauty. Over the last decade protests for women’s rights and gender equality have also taken place in Bulgaria around International Women’s Day. Although being celebrated differently around the world, International Women’s Day has the same purpose - to celebrate women’s accomplishments and promoting gender equality. Our team at PAB Languages Centre celebrates the achievements of women and girls on International Women’s Day, with an understanding that the bringing gender equality and equity into the society is the work of every day.

PAB Languages Centre helps organisations across all industries connect and communicate with their audiences in over 200 languages.