International Women's Day 2023
It’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8th March and this year we’re being encouraged to embrace equity and “imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality.”
In next week’s podcast episode, in honour of IWD I’m diving into some of the issues around women in leadership and what we can do to be leaders, support our female leaders and encourage the next generation too.
What are you going to do to #embraceequity and mark IWD? As the IWD website says “IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.” So don’t be put off from taking some sort of action because you think you’re not important or knowledgeable enough!
It could be as simple as seeking out female creatives on social media and liking, following and sharing their posts. It matters.
It could be making the effort to purchase from female owned businesses. There are all sorts of ideas and resources on the IWD website.
One of the best International Women’s Day celebrations I ever attended was Womanifest in 2020. It was just a couple of weeks before we went into national lockdown and despite the fact that we couldn’t meet in person for what felt like forever afterwards the friendships I made that day have lasted. A few weeks ago I had lunch with the woman I sat next to when I first arrived at the event feeling a bit nervous as I was on my own and we were messaging just this morning. Women connecting with and supporting other women matters.
On the way to the station in a taxi the morning of the event the taxi driver wanted to know where I was off to. When I told him it was part of IWD he wanted to know why we needed a day of our own. After sharing just a few statistics about how women are still treated differently not just here but in other countries too he was all for it. “I must ask the wife if she knows about IWD!”
If we all did something - just one little thing this IWD to help embrace equity all those actions will add up and make a difference. I’d love it if you’d hit reply and let me know what you’re going to do!
And, speaking of Womanifest – I’m delighted to say that I’m one of the speakers at this year’s event! I couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured.
It’s no boring conference or exhibition – it’s a full-on FESTIVAL! – it’s all about women having fun, learning how to put themselves first, get what they want, surround themselves with other fantastic women and have access to a huge range of learning and expertise that can help them to make changes in their life and feel inspired and empowered.
Taking place on the 15th & 16th July at Lady Heyes Park in Cheshire, it’s about bringing everything a woman needs to live the happy, fulfilling and successful life she deserves into one place for an epic weekend of liberating experiences!
This year an amazing Little Mix tribute band has been booked for the brand-new entertainment area. There’s also going to be a burlesque class, jewellery making workshops, Wim Hof ice dipping is back, nude body painting, body positive sessions, confidence classes, loads of different types of yoga and meditations, fit camp, gong baths and soooo much more! That really is just a little taste to whet your appetite.
I’ll be on the stage in the life lessons tent the morning of Saturday 15th July and I couldn’t be more honoured to be part of such an amazing event.
We would also love you to bring your teenage daughters, nieces, Goddaughters, granddaughters and any teenage girls in your network you feel would love a bit of Girls Out Loud! Their tent will be rocking the festival vibe, hosting yoga and mindfulness sessions along with lots of fun, creative and empowering activities for teenage girls, age 12 – 16 only – no adults allowed!
There really is something for everyone and it promises to be an educational, entertaining and liberating weekend so get your tickets now!
