Sometimes it can feel that the gender parity gap is too large for any one of us to make a difference, but in truth every single step we take towards a fairer, more equal world is worth the effort. Today is International Women’s Day – a day where we focus, together, across the entire world, on a concerted drive towards respecting and honouring women, and ensuring that all human beings have equal opportunities, whatever their gender.
So today – act. Take five simple steps. And if you are short of something to do, do these five things:
- Be inspired by the IWD site and read about the #PressforProgress campaign – “whether through a global conference, community gathering, classroom lesson or dinner table conversation – everyone can play a purposeful part in pressing for gender parity.”
- Enjoy the Google Doodle for the day, which highlights artwork from 12 female artists, especially commissioned for today.
- Seek out the equality and diversity policy of one or more of the organisations with which you are aligned – a charity, a company, a school, perhaps – and read it. Think about how these values are lived in practice … and how they could better be achieved.
- Reach out to a(nother) woman in your life, and lift her up: thank her, recognise her, stand in solidarity with her.
- Commit to action – write a list of three things that you will do this year that will make a difference – in your local community, in a national organisation, and through contributing to global change.
Every step matters. Celebrate womankind today.
