In Utah’s Post

Happy International Women's Day 2024! Here's me with the two little women in my life. I'm so lucky to have them and I want to make sure I do my bit to create a world that's better for them, where they have all the opportunities to follow their dreams, regardless of gender. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day “Inspire Inclusion” and the overarching catch cry is  ‘invest in women: accelerate progress’. Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who treated my siblings and  I equally and told me that I could do anything I put my mind to. Even though my Mum gave up her career as a dietician to look after us because childcare was hard to come by and afford back then (she retrained and returned to work when I was 20!) she encouraged my sister and I to work and be able to stand on our own two feet. With that in mind, I want to focus on supporting and investing in working mothers. It’s not enough to just hire women and hope for the best.  It’s about providing working conditions that are conducive for working mothers because all too frequently I hear from women who have stopped working to prioritise whānau, because the juggle got too hard, or their earning ability wasn’t enough to justify childcare. I hope it goes without saying that I am fully supportive of the women (and men)  who choose to be stay-at home parents first and foremost, but for many, it’s a forced decision. This means that we are missing out on an entire population of talented Kiwis who can significantly contribute to our workforce, and ultimately our economy and progress as a nation. So my call to action is two-fold: (1) hire and promote women because the gender leadership gap is still real, and it’s holding us back; and (2) don’t just hire them but actively create working conditions and policies that support and attract working mothers.

#EqualCareDay 2024 - February 29 On February 29, the 'Equal Care Day' initiative draws attention to the lack of appreciation of #carework. It is a reminder of the low status that care work as a whole, the education and upbringing of children, caring for the #sick, the #elderly and people with #disabilities has in our #society. #equality #women #equalpayday #equalityforall https://lnkd.in/eF3fP5Xw

It is troubling that women in America often face significant challenges and injustices. I also advocate for more #women #leaders, especially women who identify as a minority. The plight of women in America as caregivers is not just a pressing issue; it's an urgent one that demands immediate attention. It's a persistent pattern that women have been relied upon to serve as caregivers within their families and broader society. Addressing the injustices faced by women is not a simple task. It requires comprehensive and systemic reforms that promote equitable access to healthcare and support services and actively dismantle gendered caregiving expectations. Recognizing and valuing women's contributions as caregivers is crucial to creating a more just and inclusive society. #Caregivers #SystemicChange #Equality #Inclusion https://lnkd.in/e8ViqpAn

As we enter #WomensHistoryMonth, I'm reminded of the profound impact of #motherhood and the responsibility we hold to shape a more inclusive world for the generations to come. I want my daughter to grow up in a world where her gender doesn’t limit her in any way. We all have a responsibility to 'Inspire inclusion', this year’s #InternationalWomensDay theme, for those around us and generations to come. #Inclusion isn't just about breaking down barriers; it's about creating an equitable world where women don’t have to fork out more for childcare than they earn, where career breaks to raise children are celebrated rather than penalised and where the decision to work, whether out of necessity or choice, is celebrated. I want women who, like me, raise children on their own to be supported. That support needs to be embedded in legislation, in employment and in communities, and solo parents should be recognised as inspiring role models for the children we raise. It’s time we challenged the inherent bias against solo parents in legislation and government policy, and that’s not just about solo mums but also solo dads. Being a solo or single parent is not considered to be a protected characteristic in the same way as race, disability or gender, so significant discrimination persists from the way the taxation and benefit systems work right down to the way leisure activities and travel is priced, where family deals are so often based on the two-parent model, adding to an already disproportionate financial burden. As a mum and CEO of Luna Foundation CIC where we’re improving the support for children who lose a parent to suicide, I'm committed to instilling in my daughter the importance of empathy, kindness, and acceptance. I want her to grow up in a world where differences are embraced, where her voice is heard and respected, and where she feels empowered to be her authentic self. But my vision extends beyond just my daughter. I believe that by inspiring inclusion today, we're laying the foundation for a brighter, more equitable tomorrow for all children, everywhere. It's a collective effort, and as mothers, as women, as allies, we have the power to effect positive change. So let's continue to champion #diversity, challenge stereotypes, and uplift one another. Let's create a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Together, we can #InspireInclusion and shape a future filled with endless possibilities. I hope I’m showing my daughter a way to live her life without limits, and that she will do the same for her own children, if she ever decides to become a mum herself. As an international keynote speaker, I inspire people to live a purpose-driven life, sharing my journey of resilience and overcoming adversity. I’m available for in-person events in Argentina, Brazil and Chile during #WomensHistoryMonth this March, and virtual events globally. More: www.annawardley.com #IWD #IWD2024

Here’s how to celebrate #iwd2024 as a marketing agency in three easy steps! Step 1) Make all your women sit on the steps together (even if you only have 3 of them, it’s fine) Step 2) Take photo (black and white if you want it to look ✨serious and dramatic✨) Step 3) Make LinkedIn post “ You go girls! Happy IWD ladies!💜🦄👸🏼” … just kidding, just please don’t make it the ONLY thing you do for international woman’s day … Here is how you could celebrate though: 1) Explore whether you have celebrated diverse voices 2) Ask yourself if there are women on your board of directors? 3) Ask if you offer soloutions to parents (not just for mothers) for flexible work around childcare? Use the day to think deeper, not just to round up the gals and take a quick pic 📸 #iwd #internationalwomensday2024 #agencylife

In the run up to International Women's Day I want to talk about a subject close to my heart, equal parenting. If we want equality for women in the workplace, employers have to support and encourage working fathers to be equally involved and available to support raising their children. Many of us go into parenting slightly naive about the overall impact it will have on our working lives. The timing of drop offs and pick ups is taken out of our hands, where they go to nursery is often dictated by where there is space on the days you need and the level of "Chadmin" (child-related admin) is something I was wholly unprepared for. The reality is there is still more of a stigma in many workplaces, or in terms of reaction of others at large, about working fathers asking to work part-time or flexible hours. This us underlined by how regularly I am told how lucky I am that my partner works 4 days a week and helps with the kids. He is their dad of course he helps! Additionally, lack of paid parental leave for working dads in many workplaces disincentives them to be equally involved at the outset setting the tone of what is to come. We also need to recognise as a society that working part time or flexible hours or from home does not in anyway indicate less of a commitment to your job - far from it, it is usually individuals identifying how they can adapt their role to ensure they can give the most to it whilst balancing other commitments outside of work. The increase of employers demanding physical returns to the workplace flies in the face of this. Doing what we can for equality is so much more than posting about it on a Day chosen to raise awareness. We all need to play a part in practising what we preach. I couldn't do my job without an equal co-parent. Pictured is the Viking Ship he made with my eldest for her viking assembly this week whilst I tackled the World Book Day costumes and related activities. If society encourages and accepts equal parenting as the norm, working mothers will have the support they need to thrive.

I feel that we can’t miss one of the goals of International Women’s Day. Yes, it is great to celebrate, but it is also important to bring to the surface certain realities and challenges that face women. In Utah, we ranked last (again) in gender pay gap and almost last (again) for women’s equity. We ranked 9th highest for number of rapes per capita…and the list goes on. There is still so much work to do! Have the hard conversations within your companies. Push for the analysis of pay gaps. Push for equitable hiring and promotion processes. Don’t exclude your female colleagues from your lunches. Speak up when it doesn’t feel right. Empower the women around you. Listen. Be an ally! If you haven’t yet, get involved in programs driving for change. Some great initiatives are coming out of Women Tech Council, Utah Women & Leadership Project, and A Bolder Way Forward. If you add one person to your follows to learn in this space, add Susan R. Madsen. Be a catalyst for change!! #iwd2024

Global Women Face Financial Risk from Ageing Population Women worldwide, just like in the UK, are grappling with a significant financial risk stemming from the ageing population, as caregiving responsibilities disproportionately fall on female relatives. This burden affects women across cultures and economies, exacerbating economic challenges and limiting opportunities for financial security. Despite strides towards gender equality, cultural norms and economic factors continue to perpetuate this imbalance, leaving women vulnerable to financial strain. The outlook; Things may very well get worse. #GlobalWomen #FinancialRisk #AgeingPopulation #Caregiving #GenderEquality #InternationalWomensDay

Empowering women in business is part of SCORE Mentors' purpose. On February 24 our SCORE Mentors Jacksonville 2024 Women's Conference will inspire and equip women business owners and entrepreneurs with tools they need in the business world to achieve their goals. Motivational and Success Speakers will cover topics like Business Planning, Networking, Women's Funding, Women in Business and Childcare, and Work/ Life Balance. #womenentrepreneurs #womeninbusiness #womenempowerment

It's great to see Women in Architecture UK and the RIBA bringing attention to this. If we don't support women and mothers in the architecture profession, how can they be represented in the built environment? #Diversity in practices leads to a built environment that better reflects its society. #WomeninArchitecture #DiversityAndInclusion