International Women's Day is celebrated March 8th every year all around the world.
What is International Women's Day?
It's a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. (Internationalwomensday.com)
If you have ever sat with me in the boardroom or on a committee you know that I conduct myself professionally but I have strong convictions. Anyone who knows me as a friend knows that I am not afraid to speak my mind and sometimes it gets me in trouble.
If you want real, you're going to get it from me.
But as a business owner (male or female) there are times when you have to weigh the pros and cons of outwardly displaying why you sit on one side or the other of a hot topic - whether it be social or political. Depending on the situation, it could hurt or hinder your livelihood, which is also why any opinion I have on a weighty social issue I tend to keep to my close circle and my off my social media. You will only see posts about my work/life balance and the merits of my business on any of my platforms.
However, gender equality is a topic I will never shy away from because I cannot wrap my head around the fact that
it is a fact that if we allowed women to reach their full potential, it would eliminate poverty and stimulate economic growth all over the world.
And yet in the year 2020 we are still talking about equal pay, equal opportunity to education and healthcare and equal representation in the change-makers seats.
I am a woman in business for over 15 years (yay me!), I sit on the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs with some extraordinary women business owners and I volunteer as a mentor to women who are interested in starting their own businesses.
Why?
Because the more opportunity women have to become successful business owners and contribute to the economy the further ahead we are as a society. The more boardroom tables women sit at brings us closer to making the necessary changes we need as a society.
I am going to hit you hard with this knowledge bomb.
According to McKinsey Global Institute Report, if women were to play an identical role in labour markets to that of men, as much as $28 Trillion, or 26% could be added to the global annual GDP by 2025. (concern.net)
(Insert mind blown emoji)
Amidst the staggering numbers in the gender quality gap, I am proud to also say that in our small community of (around) 10K, I can count over 25 businesses owned by women and operated by women. Representing a wide variety of industries from engineering to retail to healthcare and many disciplines and areas in-between. It's amazing!
(I've included you too, company of 1, working from your home office, building your brand and your client list, dreading paying your dues to CRA! (We've all been there!) You count as adding to the economic growth of our town!
So how can you be part of change? Shop Local and celebrate women! Seek out our women-owned companies like dog groomers, heavy equipment radiator repair services, land surveyors, shop owners, massage therapists, restaurants, artisans and makers, speech pathologists, digital marketers, hairstylists, florists, wedding planners, accountants, financial planners, lenders, and photographers. Even designers. Do your research and give them your business. Share their posts. Support their efforts.
The key word is "equal."
Not "better." Not "more than." But the "same." Equality.
Which means it is an everyone topic. An everyone issue. All genders agreeing to make change for everyone. Which is why this year's International Women's Day is hashtagged #eachforequal
Every year the same statement is shared on social media
"why is there a day to celebrate women? There is no International Men's Day."
Fortunately, men do not face the same socio-economic discrimination that women do. Trust us, we don't want a specific calendar day either. We want alllllllll the days. So until we are all equal, March 8th is the day to spread awareness about Women's equality.
Follow us on our social media for weekly design inspo, creative living ideas and new things on the blog!