Saturday, March 8 marks the annual International Women’s Day (IWD), a nod to the struggle more than half the human population is having in its search for true equality.
According to data from the World Economic Forum, it will take another five generations before women see full gender parity. That’s led to the theme “Accelerate Action” for this year’s IWD.
“Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres,” reads the IWD theme section. “Significant barriers to gender equality remain, yet with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere.”
The ways organizations can help, according to the IWD group:
• Forge women’s economic empowerment
• Recruit, retain and develop diverse talent
• Support women and girls in leadership, decision-making, business, and STEM
• Design and build infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
• Help women and girls make informed decisions about their health
• Involve women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
• Providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
• Elevate women and girl’s participation and achievement in sport
• Promote creative and artistic talent of women and girls
• Address further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls
“International Women’s Day is an ideal time to reflect on the women who helped to break down barriers and prove that success should not be measured by anything other than your talent, hard work, and the results you deliver,” said Chrissay Brinkmann, presales engineer for Leaseweb, said in a statement. “For me, I choose to celebrate International Women’s Day by both appreciating how far we’ve come, but also recognizing that there’s still work to do. I celebrate by supporting the women around me, sharing their wins, encouraging them to reach higher, and mentoring the next generation. It’s about making sure we all keep moving forward and creating space for the voices that deserve to be included at the table – not just on one day, but all year long.”
DeeDee Kato, VP of corporate marketing for Foxit, added: “On International Women’s Day, I am reminded that I have been in an enviable position to have had men and women throughout my life who have encouraged me to pursue my passion for STEM – teachers and mentors who believed in me, peers who inspired me, and leaders who opened doors and provided opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute – and earn my way up the corporate ladder.”
Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) has long been a supporter of both IWD and the ideals it represents. To volunteer or donate to WiTH’s charities that support women, click here.