This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and the 8th of March marks a day of progression #PressforProgress
This collective day, is a global celebration calling on gender equality, human rights, social and political truths. No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women’s network or media hub is solely responsible for International Women’s Day, nor does it belong to one single feminist/activist. Started in early 1900’s, the tenacious Suffragettes forged purposeful action for equality. Women’s Day has been occurring for well over a century and continues to grow from strength to strength but what happens on the other 364 days a year?
Women continue to excel for the remaining time of the year through career paths, involving and producing global marches and campaigns, including #MeToo and #TimesUp social media phenomenon. A sentiment which seems all the more vital following estimations from the Global Gender Gap Report that it will take 217 years to close the gender pay gap.
International Women’s Day values provide direction for the type of action, behaviour and ethos associated with this critical and globally-supported day. These ten values are:
- Justice
- Dignity
- Hope
- Equality
- Collaboration
- Tenacity
- Appreciation
- Respect
- Empathy
- Forgiveness
The time of the suffragettes, women encountered not being able to vote, deemed upon to go to work. In today’s modern era, we still have a fight which has been in the form of more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality but we still have a long way to go. #PressforProgress
“International Women’s Day reminds us of how far women have come in terms of access to politics, the economy and cultural life but there is still further progress to be made. For example in the UK context men are twice as likely to start their own business as women – 10.4 per cent of men compared to 5.5 per cent of women – which means there is still significant untapped entrepreneurial potential that has yet to be harnessed for the benefit of women themselves, their families and the economy in general. The popular perception is that gender equality has been achieved but statistics in relation to women’s presence in the board room, their take-up of STEM occupations and the salaries they earn indicate that there are still areas where differences in access and rewards between men and women persist. International Women’s Day provides us with the opportunity to appreciate women’s achievements to date and to plan for further successes in the future” – Dr Patricia Lewis, Reader in Management
To view inspirational women from our Kent Business School alumni, keep an eye out on our alumni stories.