Today the 8th of March 2023 is International Women’s Day. It’s a day that celebrates the achievements of women everywhere, in the hope that we can create a world with equal opportunities for all. The theme for this year is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.
One would like to think that times have moved on. After all, different industries regularly celebrate women’s achievements. There are even specific award ceremonies to ensure it. Even the gender pay gap has declined approximately a quarter over the last decade. However, despite strides towards gender equality in the workplace, only 8% of CEOs in the FTSE 100 are women. Only 36.2% are even in the boardrooms. These percentages are actually an improvement from the last five years, but still far too low.
Recognising the achievements of women has always been important. Real inclusion isn’t about tick box diversity initiatives or meeting obligations under equality law. It’s about creating an inclusive working environment where women feel that they can bring their whole self to work, knowing that their skills, experience and perspectives are understood and appreciated by their employer.
Kirkwood Consulting believes this starts with a robust leadership and management programme, where talented minds are given the opportunity to make a real impact. To find out more information, contact our team today.
