March 8th marks International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate the incredible impact women have, and continue to make across the globe. A day that reminds us of the need to continue to strive for gender equality worldwide.
Firstly, I would like to thank the Trailblazers that have paved the path thus far. Many bold women who struggled to drive change and challenged the status quo. Generations of people who built a platform for us to stand on moving forward. These pioneers include:
The Suffragettes who fought for women’s rights and the right to vote. Their actions allowed the right to vote in 1920. These women included Mary Wollstonecraft, Alice Blackwell, Emmeline Pankhurst, Sojourner Truth and others.
Eleanor Roosevelt who was outspoken with women’s issues, working with the Women’s Trade Union League and addressing women’s rights from 1935 to 1962 in her newspaper column. She also became the first US delegate to the UN, served as the first chair on the UN Commission of Human Rights and chaired JFK’s Presidents Commission on the Status of Women to promote equality and advise on women’s issues.
Betty Friedan who helped establish the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Strike For Equality in 1970.
Gloria Steinem who led liberation movements in the 60’s and 70’s. She cofounded Ms Magazine and several groups including Women’s Action Alliance, National Women’s Political Caucus and the Women’s Medical Centre. She was inducted in the Women’s Hall of Fame and received a presidential medal for freedom in 2013.
Coretta Scott King who was both a Civil Rights activist and devoted her life to women’s equality. She founded the National Organisation for Women in 1966 and was the first woman to deliver the class address at Harvard.
Maya Angelou who through her speaking and writing inspired women and African Americans to challenge gender and race discrimination. She was awarded a presidential medal for freedom for his 50 years of work.
I would also like to thank modern day trailblazers who followed in their footsteps including Oprah Winfrey, Hilary Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai and Chimamanda Ngozi Adhichie who use their influence and position to continue to drive initiatives and have broken through new boundaries.
Whilst we have made progress, we still have a journey ahead of us. In 2018 the World Economic Forum believes gender parity is 200 years away! This is simply not acceptable.
The statistics don’t lie! In Australia:
Gender Pay Gap – Woman on average earn 15.3% less than men. A number that has hardly moved in the last two decades! https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/gender-pay-gap-statistics.pdf
Women on Boards – In Australia only 26.7% of the positions are occupied by women. http://aicd.companydirectors.com.au/advocacy/board-diversity/statistics
At CEO level (as of 2017) there was more CEO’s in the ASX 200 named John, Peter and David than female CEO’s! http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-08/fewer-women-ceos-than-men-named-john/8327938
One woman dies every week from domestic violence from a partner of former partner. http://www.domesticviolence.com.au/pages/domestic-violence-statistics.php
And the above is just the tip of the iceberg both in our own backyard and around the world. In 2018 there are still countries where women don’t have basic human rights, access to education, or even a voice to speak up.
The call to action is clear! The challenge is great (is multi-generational) and needs to be tackled by both Women and Men. We need to look at our own behaviours and bias at all levels, how we raise our children, (both girls and boys) challenge mindsets, create new norms and imbed change. We need to educate people in all generations and continue to raise the bar and drive towards equality.
Where do we start? In the workplace, the community and at home! We #PressforProgress.
What has our team at Aurec done to start addressing equality and raise up female leaders?
Our senior leadership team is currently 50/50. Women have a voice and direct input into our strategy, direction and execution across the business.
Across our organisation we currently have a mix of 53% male and 47% female.
We support flexible working arrangements – part-time, work from home, reduced hours. This framework helps us both attract, retain and promote strong women in our business as well as assist our men who are involved in the household.
Pay equality – we have pay equality across our business nationally.
Supporting women’s success – we celebrate the success of our women at all levels of the business.
As a recruitment business we have had the ability to influence our clients in IT, particularly at the executive level increasing the placement of leading females from 9% in 2008 to above 26%. A metric that we are committed to increasing in partnership with our clients.
While we have made a great start and our business has benefited greatly as a result, there are still areas we can improve:
Education across the business on gender equality. Most of our staff (regardless of gender) may not appreciate the challenge, the history or need for change both locally and globally.
Raise more awareness around inclusive language, inclusive alternatives, challenging assumptions about women and not been afraid to challenge statements that limit women.
Ensure mentoring, growth and leadership pathways are clear and encourage women to apply.
Ensure women have positive role models that inspire them, (both female and male) that model equality and can be seen actively changing the status quo.
Engage the men within our business to become champions of equality.
We also have the unique opportunity to drive these initiatives externally and influence the way our clients think, operate and act.
Through education, knowledge and action our team is also equipped to impact their circle of influence and their community. Through increased awareness comes change. Action breeds action.
My commitment as a leader is to be bold and fearless across my workplace, circle of influence and family to drive positive and sustainable change. I will raise the standard – personally and of those around me, I will call others to action, I will question any lack of women’s participation, I will identify alternatives that are more inclusive. I will change the status quo. I will lead the change. I will #PressforProgress
My commitment as a father/husband is to be a role model of equality to my two daughters and wife. I will lead by example, use inclusive language, questions assumptions and challenge statements that limit women. I will inspire them, I will affirm them, I will make women more visible. I will drive change and support them in doing the same. Together we will see change!
Connect and engage on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/matthewcossens
Photo Credit - Getty Images
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