L-R: Sharon Smith (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce), Liz Gait, (EG People Development) and Jennine Gilbert Woods (OCM Business Systems Ltd) support the theme of #InspireInclusion for International Women’s Day 2024.
Business women across Worcestershire share their views on International Women’s Day (IWD) and what it means to them. The theme this year is Inspire Inclusion, with the aim of the campaign to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.
Member Ruby Edwards, Owner of You Do Better PR, writes in a collaboration with Sharon Smith, CEO of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Liz Gait, owner of EG People Development, and Jennine Gilbert Woods, Managing Director at OCM Business Systems Ltd.
Sharon says: “This year for International Women’s Day, it’s time to #InspireInclusion. Everyday I’m inspired by the fantastic team of women who work alongside me at the Chamber of Commerce. Not only is inclusion at the top of my business agenda, but it’s also embedded in our organisation and has become crucial part of our core values. It’s important to remember that everyone can inspire inclusion and as a business leader I strive to lead by example and work to ensure diversity and inclusion is part of our communities’ ethos. I’m proud to support and embrace International Women’s Day 2024.”
Liz confirms: “Inclusion is a job for us all… right from early years, evidencing in our homes that there aren’t ‘pink and blue jobs’, encouraging young people to find their talents and passions and challenging the stereotypes of suitable careers and job roles for women – this is a job for us all. We all have a responsibility for showing the possibilities are endless and we can support each other in breaking down the barriers which unfortunately do still exist.
As Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, in her brilliant book ‘The Gender Bias: The Barriers That Hold Women Back, and How to Break Them’ – “Women cannot be left to bear the burden of calling out inequality simply because they’re the ones experiencing it the most acutely”, it is a job for us all.”
Jennine embraces the same sentiment, stating: “In my experience, a healthy work environment is about having a good, diverse mix of people who can come to work feeling confident and happy being themselves. Creating a fair and equal workplace delivers positivity synonymous with a successful business.”
We couldn’t agree more. Further information about inspiring inclusion, and the day itself, can be found online: www.internationalwomensday.com.
Author – Ruby Edwards, You Do Better PR | www.youdobetter.co.uk