A call to action for all of us on International Women’s Day

On March 8, 2023, millions worldwide will mark International Women’s Day (IWD) with its theme of Embrace Equity, which aims to get people talking about why equal opportunities aren’t enough.

Recognising that women are still the most marginalised gender and face barriers to achieving their full social, political, economic and health potential underpins IWD.

Women face barriers because of discriminatory social norms and rigid gender stereotypes, along with additional disadvantages, including age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and geography.

The gender pay gap persists, with women earning on average $253.50 per week less than men. Women are underrepresented in leadership positions, with less than 20 per cent of CEO roles held by women, and one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.

At the current rate of progress, it is predicted that the world will not achieve gender equality for nearly 300 years.

So, on International Women’s Day 2023, I want to help everyone understand how they can play their part in embracing gender equity every day.

Step 1: Understand equity

In my work as a workplace gender equality expert, I find many folks still struggle to understand that equality is the end goal, and equity is the way to get there.

Equality means men and women are given equal access to the same resources or opportunities, irrespective of their needs. Equality of access assumes that men and women started in the same position.

Equity means correcting the historical oppression, injustices, and unfairness that women have faced (and continue to face). Equity recognises that women have different circumstances and are not starting in the same (advantageous) position as men.

The graphic below from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation perfectly demonstrates the difference between equality and equity. In the top graphic, everyone gets a bicycle to ride, regardless of whether it’s needed or suitable. In the bottom graphic, everyone gets what they need because their unique barriers, circumstances and conditions are understood.

Step 2: Choose to embrace equity every day

You can embrace equity every day, not just on International Women’s Day, by recognising that women are starting this race called life at a disadvantage.

Here are 10 ways to do that, including some that will cost you nothing!

1. Donate to organisations that educate girls. Girls who do not receive formal education are at higher risk of child marriage, unwanted pregnancy and violence.
2. Buy more books written by women. Authors of non-fiction business books are still male-dominated, which indicates gender bias in publishing, leadership and entrepreneurship.
3. Watch women’s sports. Go to the ground, watch it on free-to-air TV or stream it. Eyeballs equate to sponsors, which equates to more investment in women’s sports.
4. Consume more content by women including podcasts, broadcast radio, movies, TV shows, magazines and newspaper articles. (SHE DEFINED is a publication created by women for women).
5. Follow more women on social media. Especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women, women of colour, disabled women, LGBTIQA+ and older women who are further marginalised and under-represented.
6. Be informed about the gender pay gap, and ask what action your workplace is taking the close the gap.
7. No more ‘manels!’ Only attend events with speaking slots equitably distributed to women and men. If you are organising events, make sure your speakers and panels have appropriate representation of women.
8. Buy from women-owned businesses. Check out the Femeconomy Directory to plan your gender-equitable shopping.
9. Leave a positive review on Google for a woman-owned business, or give them a shout-out on social media.
10. Call out sexism and gender discrimination. Doing nothing does harm, so use these great resources from Our Watch to learn how to be an upstander.

It is way past time for us to embrace equity and work towards creating an equal world for women. We must challenge and change the gender norms and stereotypes that limit women’s opportunities and perpetuate gender inequity.

Irrespective of how you choose to commemorate IWD, I hope you will choose to take action to embrace equity every day, no matter what your gender or your role in society.