International Women’s Day – The Inequalities we Choose to Challenge

8th March is International Womens Day. The theme for 2021 is “Choose to Challenge.” As a team we had an inspiring discussion about the inequalities that each of us is passionate about choosing to challenge, in the workplace and beyond. Here they are:

Becci – I choose to challenge our own belief as women that expressing our needs is ‘making trouble’
Amy – I choose to challenge decisions about what a women does or doesn’t do with her body made by anyone other than that woman herself.
Karen – I challenge the gender stereotypes for young people. My daughter is a football player, and in our home there is no expectation that clothes, toys or activities will be ‘gender appropriate’
Shin – I choose the challenge the idea that women in leadership have more authority if they are wearing high heels
Priya – I choose to challenge the belittling of some women’s health issues. I choose to challenge the mindset that some types of pain are unimportant.
Helen – I choose to challenge the idea that women are less committed to work if they are parents, and less committed to being a parent if they work.
Amy – I choose to challenge the burden of free labour that often falls on women.
Becci – I choose to challenge the expectation that as a female business owner I will always speak publicly for free.
Karen – I choose to challenge anyone who doesn’t believe women can have a powerful work ethic.
Patti – I choose to challenge the assumption that I am less suited to working with complex information.
Helen – I choose to challenge that being a part time working parent can leave you at a disadvantage in the workplace. You can be treated differently, and miss out on development opportunities and important meetings if they are scheduled on the days you don’t work.
Shin – I choose to challenge that idea that what you are wearing is any reflection of your character, your ethics or your ability to do your job.
Patti – I choose to challenge the assumption that I have to over-work to keep up.
Priya – I choose to challenge the ‘is it that time of the month? Wink wink…’ mentality.
Helen – I choose to challenge the reality that being a part time working parent can leave you at a disadvantage in the workplace. You can be treated differently and miss out on development opportunities and important meetings if they are scheduled on the days you don’t work.
Amy – I choose to challenge the stigma of breastfeeding in public and breastfeeding toddlers.
Priya – I choose to challenge the representation of women of colour in wellness.
Becci – As an organisation of women, we choose to challenge the way good work is delivered