International Women’s Day 2024 – help us Inspire Inclusion

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024 – HELP US INSPIRE INCLUSION

This Friday is International Women’s Day, a celebration with many events and fundraisers across the globe to help highlight the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Beyond being a day of recognition, it serves as a crucial platform for raising awareness about the ongoing challenges women face and advocating for gender equality. Over the years International Women’s Day has become a public holiday in many countries including Russia, and even China allows women to take half-day off work, whilst in the US, the month of March is observed as Women’s History Month.

A full list of International Women’s Day events can be found here with events preceding and post the day.

MY FEMALE INSPIRATION - IRENE DORNER

By Tracy Fletcher

“I worked for Irene from 2002 to 2004 at HSBC in the North of England, and we have remained friends ever since. Irene is an extraordinary woman who became CEO & President of HSBC USA. Whilst in this role, American Banker elected her the first most powerful woman in the banking sector. That in itself is inspirational. To be successful in such a high-profile and pivotal role at a time when HSBC in the USA was not enjoying a great reputation is an achievement in itself. What makes her stand head and shoulders above others is her kindness, her practical approach and above all the support she gives to other women. She has been a true role model for me for over 20 years, proving that you can be a successful woman in a male dominated industry and still retain your core values of women supporting women.”

Promoting Gender Equality

One of the primary objectives of International Women’s Day is to advocate for gender equality. Despite significant progress over the years, gender disparities persist in various spheres, including the workplace, education, and healthcare. By rallying behind International Women’s Day, individuals and communities can engage in meaningful conversations about the need for equal opportunities, rights, and treatment for women. Elevating the importance of this day is crucial in fostering a global movement that actively works towards dismantling gender-based discrimination.

Campbell & Fletcher Recruitment are extremely proud to have committed to actions to support the promotion of gender equality as part of signatories of the HMRC Women in Finance Charter. The Women in Finance Charter was launched in 2016 to champion gender parity in financial services – it now has over 400 signatory companies covering more than a million employees across the Financial Services sector. Our robust candidate shortlisting process ensures all our shortlists are diverse, not only from a gender perspective, but also ethnicity and disability. As at 11th November 2023 we have delivered 31.8% female candidates as part of a fully diverse shortlist for roles we are currently working on in the financial services sector.

Addressing Challenges and Discrimination

International Women’s Day serves as a platform to address the persistent challenges and discrimination that women face worldwide. By raising awareness about issues such as gender-based violence, unequal pay, and limited access to education, we create a sense of urgency to confront these problems head-on. Elevating the importance of International Women’s Day ensures that these critical conversations extend beyond the confines of a single day, encouraging continuous efforts to eliminate gender-based injustices.

MY FEMALE INSPIRATION - MAYA ANGELOU

By Alison Campbell

“I came across Maya’s art late in my forties by accident (albeit I believe we find when we need). Her poetry deeply connects with me, providing words of wisdom precisely when I need them. Her impactful writings have inspired generations of women tackling prejudice, discrimination, and abuse. Specifically, “Touched by an Angel” holds a cherished memory as a dear friend, who is also an inspirational figure, read it at my wedding to my wife, creating an unforgettable moment. Another empowering piece worth delving into is “Shall I Rise”, I guarantee it will leave you smiling.”

Inspiring Inclusion & Change

The celebration of International Women’s Day is not just about recognizing the current state of affairs but also about inspiring meaningful change. Elevating the importance of IWD encourages individuals to reflect on their own biases, prejudices, and behaviors that may perpetuate gender inequality. By fostering a collective commitment to change, we can create an environment where everyone is actively involved in challenging stereotypes, advocating for inclusivity, and promoting respect for all individuals, regardless of gender.

International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion, with calls to actions to breakdown barriers, foster diversity, challenge stereotypes and create an environment where ‘all women are valued and respected so to build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come’.

Supporting Women’s Empowerment

Empowering women is at the core of the International Women’s Day movement. By elevating the importance of this day, we emphasise the significance of supporting women in achieving their full potential. This includes creating opportunities for education, professional growth, and leadership roles. When everyone gets behind the cause of women’s empowerment, we contribute to building a more robust, diverse, and inclusive society where every individual can thrive.

The team at Campbell & Fletcher Recruitment have since 2020 supported Smart Works. Smart Works is a charity which assists women from a range of different backgrounds and age groups back into employment by providing one-to-one interview coaching and interview-appropriate clothing and accessories. We are proud supporters and promoters of their Fund Raising events and are dedicated as a company to help the empowerment of women and assist them back into work. Our MD Tracy Fletcher, as well as volunteering, is Chair of the Smart Works Leeds centre. Tracy is currently raising money for the Cycle for Smart Works 2024 campaign, which its’ finish coincides with International Women’s Day – if you would like to support Smart Works then you can donate to Tracy’s efforts here.

Building Solidarity

International Women’s Day is a call for global solidarity in the fight for gender equality. Recognising the importance of this day encourages individuals, companies of all size, and governments to come together in a united front against gender-based discrimination. When people from diverse backgrounds and experiences unite for a common cause, it amplifies the impact of the movement and sends a powerful message that gender equality is not just a women’s issue but a human rights issue.

Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained:

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organisation, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

International Women’s Day is a powerful catalyst for change, providing an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the challenges that persist, and the collective efforts required for a more equitable future. Elevating the importance of International Women’s Day is not just a responsibility but a necessity for building a world where every individual, regardless of gender, can live free from discrimination and fully participate in all aspects of life. It is a call to action for everyone to join hands in creating a more inclusive, equal, and just world for present and future generations.

The team at Campbell & Fletcher Recruitment are proud to support International Women’s Day and will be striking the Inspire Inclusion pose. Join us and strike the #inspireInclusion pose to show solidarity – inclusion comes from the heart.

Share you post on social and tag us in using @cfrecruitment #IWD2024 #inspireInclusion