BE A VISABLE SUPPORTHER™ universalwomensnetwork.com | #SupportHER
Everyone Plays a Role to SupportHER™
International SupportHER™ Day takes place on the first Friday in June, annually. While the day itself may pass by, today is the perfect opportunity to be a visible SupportHER™.
According to the United Nations Progress on the Sustainability Development Goals, it will take 286 years to close the global gender gap.
Women’s representation in positions of power and decision-making remains below parity.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Become a Visible SupportHER™.
Whether you are an individual, a business, or an organization, your involvement can make a significant difference. Here are some ways to take immediate action:
• Cultivate a SupportHER Culture of Inclusivity –Establish an environment that values gender equality and diverse leadership, where all voices and perspectives are respected and included. Ensuring a safe space for women is crucial.
• Lead by Example – Encourage men in leadership positions to set the precedent by advocating for women in their networks, workplaces, and communities. Demonstrating behaviors that endorse gender equality is essential.
• Model Supportive Behaviors – Urge men to speak up, support, and address inappropriate conduct. Act as an advocate when women are not present.
• CEO Statement and Influential Leadership –When leaders in influential decision-making roles endorse gender equality and women's advancement, it establishes the organization's stance and showcases its dedication to women's progress.
• SupportHER through Action – Provide opportunities for women to advance in their careers or businesses. Offer references, testimonials, and demonstrate your backing. Invest in their enterprises, purchase their products or services.
• Share Your Commitment – Use social media platforms to share your commitment to gender equality. Amplify the voices of women and advocate for their advancement. #SupportHER
• Invest in Education and Training – Allocate resources to education and training to eliminate existing biases.
• Engage Men in Conversations – Promote collaborative leadership where men and women work together. Encouraging men's involvement encourages others to participate.
UNIVERSAL WOMENS NETWORK™ | PAGE 2
• Promote Open Dialogue – Advocate for ongoing open discussions where every voice is valued. Sustaining dialogues is crucial.
• Acknowledge and Celebrate Male Allies –Recognizing individuals, both men and women, dedicated to gender equality sets a positive example. Observing leaders championing gender equality and women's rights encourages others to follow suit.
• Support Women-Owned Businesses –Demonstrate your support by investing in women-owned businesses.
• Showcase Leadership – When we see it, we can be it. Showcasing men in leadership roles to sharing their experiences provides a powerful opportunity for empowerment and continuous learnings and a pathway for others to follow.
• Create Opportunities for Women – Opportunities are available for women in underrepresented sectors. Lead visibly in your field as a supporter of women. Regardless of the industry, there are chances to inspire change.
• Celebrate Success Stories – Highlight and celebrate the achievements of women in your network and workplace. Sharing the success stories inspires others and reinforces the importance of gender equality.
• Establish Policies and Initiatives – Men play an important role to create, support and promote policies and initiatives to promote gender equality, level the playing for pay equity, equal opportunities for women to progress and further their careers and create a safe workplaces and environments where everyone thrives.
• Advocate for Policy Change – Engage with policymakers to advocate for laws and regulations that promote gender equality. Support initiatives that aim to eliminate barriers for women in the workforce.
• Mentor and Sponsor Women – Offer mentorship or sponsorship to women in your network. Provide guidance, share your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities. Male allies can provide valuable insights, access to key networks and experiences that can pave the way for future leaders to rise.
• Collaborate with Women-Led Initiatives –Partner with organizations and initiatives that support women's progress and engage men to the conversation. Collaboration amplifies efforts and creates a greater impact.
• Panels, Workshops and Trainings – Organize events focused on gender equality, leadership development, and empowerment. Provide a platform for women together with men to learn, grow, and connect.
DID YOU KNOW?
91.2% OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES CEOs ARE MEN*
76% OF ALL C-SUITE DECISION-MAKING POSITIONS ARE OCCUPIED BY MEN*
Join us in welcoming men to be a part of the solution and take meaningful steps to promote the advancement of women.
Imagine the impact if each person takes one action to support women!
*According to a recent finding in Fast Company
UNIVERSAL WOMENS NETWORK™ | PAGE 3
WHY SUPPORTHER?
• Empowering Women Empowers All – When women succeed, communities and economies benefit. Gender equality is not just a women's issue; it is a societal and economic imperative.
• Building Sustainable Futures – Achieving gender parity is essential for sustainable development. By supporting women, we pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.
• Enhancing Innovation and Creativity – Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and creative problem-solving. Supporting women in leadership roles drives progress and out-ofthe-box thinking.
• Fostering Inclusive Workplaces – Inclusive workplaces where women thrive are more productive and harmonious. Encouraging gender diversity fosters a culture of respect, collaboration, and mutual support.
• Global Impact – Your support transcends borders. By promoting gender equality, you contribute to global progress and solidarity, helping to bridge the gender gap worldwide.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTHER™ DAY
International SupportHER™ Day, founded in 2023, by Monica Kretschmer, CEO, Universal Womens Network™ and Women of Inspiration™ Awards to engage everyone to play a role to SupportHER™. The Universal Womens Network™ is on a mission to unlock the ripple to advance women and welcome men to the conversation as SupportHER champions. In 2018, she coined the lexicon, SupportHER™ as a word to promote male allies championing women in their networks, workplaces and communities. The Universal Womens Network™ partners with companies committed to engaging allies as SupportHERs through media, events, awards and programing.
International SupportHER™ Day is an opportunity to take action to champion for a woman to succeed.
It is more than a moment, it is a movement to inspire change, pave the way for future leaders and close the gender gap!
We invite you to become a visible SupportHER™ as an Individual or corporate founding partner.
Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to succeed.
By becoming a visible SupportHER™, you join a movement that is dedicated to closing the gender gap and fostering a future where everyone thrives.
Join us today as an individual or corporate founding partner and be a catalyst for change.
Interested in being a visible SupportHER™ Partner?
Contact: monica@universalwomensnetwork.com
Visit: universalwomensnetwork.com
Together we are stronger.
Monica Kretschmer Founder and CEO, Universal Womens Network™, Women of Inspiration™Awards, SupportHER™
UNIVERSAL WOMENS NETWORK™ | PAGE 4