International Women’s Day – Accelerate Action

The theme for this year…

Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for gender equality.

At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.

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 spaces. 

This year, two colleagues from our Inclusion Allies Network attended an event hosted by Black Country Women’s Aid. The event's purpose was to;

• Receive training on why domestic abuse is a work issue
• Network with businesses who share our CSR values
• Evidence of our business commitment to International Women’s Day by attending our event
• Learn how, together, we are transforming lives
• Pledge our support so that we can accelerate action against domestic abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery

Let’s hear from Dawn Watson and Michelle Simmons on how the day went!

Dawn said, "Seeing the support and positive impact the charity has had in women's lives was humbling. They embody this year's IWD theme of #AccelerateAction in all of their activities, and hearing from some of the women they have helped to turn their lives around was a privilege."

Michelle said,  "A fantastic event. I was really surprised by the statistics. Approx. 20% of staff experience some form of domestic abuse, and of that, 75% of perpetrator activity can filter into work (stalking, phone calls, emails, etc). 2% of domestic abuse victims are forced to leave employment"

Dawn Watson, Transactional Finance Manager & Michelle Simons - Colleague Development Associate – HR at the International Women's Day event