#EMBRACE EQUITY

To Dynamic publisher, Maarten Hoffmann, IWD is around achieving is around achieving gender equality globally. The day is a chance for all genders to reflect on how far we’ve come to reaching this – and how much more we still need to do. We can use the other 364 days working hard to achieve it!

KAREN DOBRES

Former Director, Lewes FC

Speaking as a woman in a male bastion who trained myself not to make tea at board meetings, here’s how to celebrate March 8th. First, and you need to be a man to do this, make (don’t buy) female co-workers a hot drink. Ask them exactly how they like it beforehand, so you’ve the right milk, coffee, teabags ready. Then offer them a cuppa on March 8th.

TESS DE KLERK

Editor, Dynamic Magazine

To me, IWD invites celebration and reflection on how far women’s rights have come in a relatively short period of history. At the same time, I’m reminded of the lack of liberty faced by so many women in different parts of the world. There is still much work to be done.

JULIET

Founder & CEO, 2to3days

IWD is a stark reminder that men still earn the majority of the world’s wealth and women do the majority of the world’s work. According to the WEF it will take 132 years to reach gender parity! We all need to help accelerate the pace of change; actions speak louder than words.

ABI WRIGHT CEO, Spabreaks.com

Both within our team and within the wider spa industry we have always been privileged to work with incredible women. Within our own ranks we aim to bring supposedly female characteristics to our company culture, creating an environment that offers compassion, equality and strength for every member of the team. Jacinda Ardern recently said: ‘I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.’ I think that on International Women’s Day it’s that embodiment of female strength that we should celebrate and remember.

NICK HAMPTON

CEO, Tate & Lyle PLC

Gender balance is crucial for economies and communities to thrive. As a company, we will continue to keep this at the forefront of our commitments, and we are making good progress.

CLAIRE

Founder, Waking up to Autism

To me IWD is an opportunity to stop, reflect and be inspired by the incredible women who are doing incredible things in the world right now. Women supporting women is one of the most magical and empowering things and I am never not moved by how much strength and resolve we have - as individuals and as a group.

IWD is simultaneously an embodiment and celebration of the work done by the women on whose shoulders we stand, and a representation of the work that is still to be done before we can say that we live in a truly equitable – and, consequently, thriving – world.

Senior Corporate Counsel, DMH Stallard

Whatever we do in life there are certain times or dates that cause us to reflect and think. International Women’s Day is one of those for me. IWD is a time to focus on women’s rights and roles. For 2023, for me that is raising awareness of creating a work environment where all people feel accepted and valued.

In 1942, Mary Golda Ross was our trailblazer, she was the first female engineer at Lockheed Martin. Today, many, many thousands of women at Lockheed Martin continue Mary’s legacy as engineers, scientists, mathematicians and other key roles that are pivotal to the success of our company.

An opportunity to meet like minded women and younger women on their way up and share advice; But most importantly to keep the agenda for women as high as possible as key participants in society throughout the world, at a time when we seem to be going backwards.

Area Director, Lloyds Bank

IWD to me is around achieving gender equality globally. The day is a chance for all genders to reflect on how far we’ve come to reaching this, and how much more we still need to do. We can use the other 364 days working hard to achieve it!

Founder, the Float Spa

IWD is a day to celebrate the progression of women, to highlight the incredible achievements of the women around me and raise awareness. IWD is a positive global movement with a very strong global message, easy to relate to and something that is inclusive.

DONNA HOLLAND CEO, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

For me it’s a celebration of the achievements of all women and a call-toaction for the work that still needs to be done. It’s a moment to come together, share progress and unite in action. It’s a reminder that barriers still exist, perceptions still need challenging and that the fight for equality isn’t over.

TRACIE DAVEY CEO, Worthing and Adur Chamber

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate and reflect on how far we have come! There is still so much more to be done but we are on the right track. Together women are definitely stronger. Let’s keep being brilliant, keep supporting each other and keep making a difference.

Partner, Kreston Reeves

I told some of my team that we were co-sponsoring an event for International Women’s Day and I was surprised by the response of “why isn’t there a day for men?” In some ways this is a valid comment - why should women be treated differently with their own special day? But that is exactly the point. They are not treated equally and this day reminds us all.

YAMINI RANGAN CEO, Hubspot

As an industry we are making progress, but we can’t lose momentum. Women in tech are still grossly underrepresented in leadership, even though femaleled organisations are proven to perform better than those lacking diversity. At HubSpot, we’re investing in leadership development programmes for women and mentorship opportunities, as well as ‘Returners’ programmes for women to get back into the workforce.

ADAMCZYK Chairman, Honeywell

Women are integral to our success. They are innovators, mentors, visionaries, philanthropists, and most of all – they are leaders. Name a future-shaping innovation Honeywell has pioneered over the last several decades, and I’ll show you women who helped make it possible. With strong support for and leadership from women, there is no limit to the success we can achieve.

Vice-Chancellor,

Men have to be involved in conversations around equality. They need to take responsibility for their own actions as individuals and consider how their teams, their organisations and their own approach could be more inclusive. Not to do so is to be part of the problem.

Chief Executive, Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce

International Men’s Day in November raises important social issues like men’s mental health and is celebrated in 80 countries. Women are coming from behind somewhat in that we are still striving for gender equality and pay parity, as well as working to improve our mental health and that of our sons, fathers and partners. To celebrate International Women’s Day, as a businesswoman, I like to bring partners together to overcome barriers to business and benefit the local economy and community as a whole. Networking and supporting other women in business is vital for the benefit of the whole community; working together makes all the difference.

JOHN MAY

CEO, John Deere Tractors

While it’s vital to recognise the achievements of women, these celebrations cannot serve as proof that we’ve reached our goal. Instead, they should serve as an inspiring reminder of how much further we must go to reach gender equality and how much more we will accomplish when we do.

JULIE KAPSALIS

Chair, Coast to Capital LEP

IWD is an opportunity to celebrate the success of women but also to recognise ongoing inequality. It is a reminder of the women who have inspired and helped me on my journey as well as a reminder to call out behaviours that still challenge and discriminate. Lastly it’s a chance to empower the next generation.

RACHEL WATKYN CEO, Tiny Box Company

It’s 2023. We shouldn’t need women’s day. Surely we have equality? The sad truth is that only 35% of parliament are women. In 2022 the gender pay gap stood at 14.9% and 40% of women have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace. IWD is an opportunity to instigate positive change.

EMMA LANE Head of Client Relations, Allica Bank

For me IWD is about women’s equality in all its forms. On a business front, whilst women account for 51% of the population but only 10% of the seats at the top table, we have to continue to focus on how we can make a difference and ensure lasting change.

LOUISE PARKES CEO, Great Ormond Street Hospital

As there is no place for bias in the treatment and care of the children and families who access support through Great Ormond Street Hospital, there is no place for it within GOSH Charity. We are committed to doing more than just adhering to our legislative obligations when it comes to addressing gender inequality. We believe that everyone, regardless of gender, has the right to live and flourish without fear or prejudice, and to feel respected and valued.

KIRSTY SADLER Deputy Head of Agriculture, Lloyds Bank

Women play a hugely important role in our rural communities and in UK agriculture, making up nearly 20% of farm owners. International women’s day provides a platform to celebrate their influence and success and inspire future generations of women to join this vital and thriving industry.

ALEX BAILEY CEO & Co-Founder, Bailey & French

IWD shines a light on all the amazing work happening across the world so people can embrace equity. It supports our mission to humanise the world of work now, and for future generations. When there is true equity, we will all feel valued, respected and celebrated for our unique contributions.

In-house law departments have a tremendous opportunity to #EmbraceEquity in the legal profession by exercising their “power of the purse” to promote diversity at the law firms they hire. To help in-house and law firm leaders #BreakTheBias, Burford Capital has expanded its award-winning Equity Project, a programme to improve diversity in Big Law through a $100 million capital pool earmarked to finance commercial litigation and arbitration led by female and racially diverse lawyers.

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