Inspire Inclusion: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
As we approach International Women’s Day 2024, I find myself reflecting on the theme for this year: “Inspire Inclusion.” It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of creating environments where all individuals, regardless of gender (or anything else), feel valued, respected, and empowered. As HR professionals, we play a vital role in championing diversity and inclusion within our organisations, and there’s no better time to recommit ourselves to this cause than now.
I bet most women can think of many times in the workplace (and also outside of work) where they have felt excluded, put down, patronised, stereotyped and more – I can!
I remember when I started as an Hotel Manager in my early 20’s and some people wouldn’t take me seriously because of my age, I’ve worked in many very male dominated environments and felt I had to fight harder than my male counterparts to ‘prove’ my worth. I’ve had the experience where if I was assertive/decisive, I was pushy and aggressive but males that were the same were confident, authoritative… most of us have these tales to tell.
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we pave the way for a better, brighter future. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone has a seat at the table and where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed but celebrated. By championing inclusivity, we can unlock the full potential of our teams and drive innovation, creativity, and success.
But we know as with most things in HR, inclusion isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about creating a culture where every individual feels a sense of belonging and worth.
When I think about how I am when I feel inspired to be included, I bring my whole self to whatever situation I’m faced with in work, life and relationships. So, enabling this inclusion for everyone can lead to increased engagement, productivity, and overall happiness. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
So, as we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, let’s make a collective commitment to forging a more inclusive world for the women around us. Let’s challenge:
- Stereotypes,
- Inequality in the workplace,
- Break down barriers, and
- Create those opportunities
for women to thrive and succeed.
Whether that’s through mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, looking at your internal culture or simply fostering open and honest dialogue, each of us has the power to make a difference. What will you do to ‘inspire inclusion’ as far as women are concerned?
