Monson Savings Bank’s Post

This day was established to honour women and the essence that they bring to this world with their existence. After years and years of oppression, this day aims to fight for women's rights and establish equality. The United Nations has designated the year 2024's theme as 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment.

It isn’t everyday you get to sit in the same room as a woman descended from a line of pioneers responsible for securing the vote for all women 96 years ago. Thank you Gabriela da Costa for the invitation to join this fireside chat with Professor Helen Pankhurst CBE at K&L Gates and hear about the great work of Centenary Action to reach a more diverse and gender equal Parliament by 2028. Whilst we have seen much change in 96 years we are not seeing enough. As a country we are 48th in the world for female representation in Parliament however in 2019 we were 38th. We are not changing fast enough, we are falling behind. The female vote and representation is important if we are going to reach gender parity and the business world can play a role in encouraging engagement in voting. Stronger democracy also leads to better business so it’s win, win for all. A strong focus on intersectionality is also key and it was encouraging to hear the support Centenary Action have been providing to get more disabled women into office. A wonderful evening of storytelling, candour and a big call to action for all genders. In the words of Sylvia Pankhurst - “Great is the work that remains to be accomplished.” #internationalwomensday #iwd2024 #suffragettes #womeninpolitics #womeninlaw

This year at #UNGA79, only 19 women leaders spoke—out of 190 total speakers. That number is down from 21 speakers last year—and if you look globally, only 27 countries have a woman as their leader. When women don’t have a seat at the table – or a voice at big moments like these – issues primarily impacting women and girls will likely continue to be overlooked by global leaders and progress on gender equality will continue to stagnate.   I was glad to hear António Guterres emphasize this disparity in speakers at UNGA. I agree with him wholeheartedly when he says, “This is unacceptable – especially when we know gender equality delivers for peace, sustainable development, climate action and much more.”   While there were so many productive conversations at UNGA around global gender equality, creating a future where everyone thrives starts with making sure that women are represented in conversations at all levels of decision-making, and a central part of determining the solutions. You can read more about this in Bloomberg:

Call for Women Leaders to support the Action for Equality Campaign. Share with Women leaders On your networks and together we drive the #Action4Equality campaign

✅ Is there a connection between the promotion of women's rights and democratic development?🤔 ✅What difficulties faced women in the past?🤔 ✅Are there still any stereotypes about the role of women in the family and society?🤔 Our guide explores these ❓ and more ⏩ https://bit.ly/407Top5 Financially supported by the Bulgarian Fund for Women and the European Union.

Thanks for sharing Kanwar Singh! Being the father of a college-going daughter myself, I can totally relate to what she has shared with you! Not sure how much can actually be implemented BUT some steps that the present government can take are: 1.) Self-defense coaching to be made a compulsory subject in all schools! Especially, all girls schools! 2.) Exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of such heinous crimes to be meted out promptly to instill the fear of at least making the person think twice before taking such a step! 3.) Fast Track processing of such cases minus the bureaucracy and red-tape, something like a "Crime Against Women" Task Force that jumps into action, anywhere in the country, and is authorized and empowered to override the investigation done by the local police, which we know, in most cases, has been compromised and influenced by vested interests! 4.) Instituting a 24x7 HELPLINE that registers all such complaints/ cases, without any bias, and aligns the nearest contingent of the above mentioned task force to attend to promptly! I realize that a lot of the above is probably wishful thinking (by a father who thinks he lives in a utopian world) in a 78 year old country having its own set of challenges to fight

As the UK faces yet another pivotal election, it is vital to recognise the significance of each and every vote. The act of voting transcends mere civic duty; it is the cornerstone of our democratic system and a powerful tool for enacting change. For women, in particular, the right to vote carries a profound historical weight and a continuing imperative. For women, voting is a hard-won right, achieved through decades of struggle and sacrifice by suffragettes and suffragists. Emmeline Pankhurst, Millicent Fawcett, and countless others faced imprisonment, social ostracism, and even death to secure this fundamental right. To abstain from voting today is to overlook this arduous journey and the victories achieved for gender equality. Women’s issues often receive inadequate attention in political discourse. By voting, women can influence which issues are prioritised by those in power. Representation matters – having women in positions of political power ensures that policies consider diverse perspectives and address issues such as gender pay gaps, reproductive rights, childcare, and domestic violence with the seriousness they deserve. For women, voting is a powerful assertion of equality and capability, reinforcing the message that women’s voices are indispensable in shaping our society. Historically, women have faced numerous barriers to political participation, from legal restrictions to societal norms. While many of these barriers have been dismantled, challenges remain, particularly for women from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. Voting is a way to challenge and overcome these barriers, advocating for inclusivity and equality in all spheres of life. Today, as you stand before the ballot box, remember the significance of your vote. It is more than a mark on a piece of paper; it is a testament to the progress we have made and a pledge to continue striving for a better future. For women, it is an affirmation of the struggle that brought us here and a commitment to ensuring that our voices are heard loud and clear. In this election, let us honour the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Let us vote with the knowledge that our participation is crucial, our voices matter, and our collective action can drive meaningful change. #womeninscience #feminist #equalrights

Announcing our 2024 #StrongerCA Agenda for gender, racial & economic justice! Thanks to members of the California Legislative Women's Caucus for leading these bills. Check out the full agenda: https://bit.ly/4acggpD

On National Women's Day, we honour the brave women of South Africa who stood up against discrimination and injustice. Though apartheid may be a thing of the past, women today still face barriers to equality, a problem that affects us all. Empowering women is crucial for a better world, and it’s a responsibility we must all bear. Let’s continue to advocate for women’s rights, honour their contributions, and work towards a future where equality is not a goal but a reality. #womensday

Let's empower women to vote on July 4th (UK general election voting day)! Professor Helen Pankhurst, great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, is calling for a shift in how we approach gender equality in the workplace and beyond. Through her Centenary Action organization, Prof Pankhurst is urging businesses to sign up for "The Promise" to encourage staff to register to vote and provide flexible working arrangements so everyone can exercise their right to vote. A recent poll of 500 women in the UK revealed: 76% plan to vote. 21% feel political parties consider women's issues only for tactical gain. 28% believe political parties do not consider the female vote adequately. Prof Pankhurst states, "Apathy, toxicity, and negativity are creating a backward step in gender equality. We want to galvanize women to get out and vote, be at the heart of decision-making, and create a more equitable playing field." Businesses, it's time to step up! Sign "The Promise" and ensure your staff can participate in the democratic process. Women, who comprise 51% of the population, must be considered crucial stakeholders by all political parties. Let's put women at the center of policymaking, not on the margins. Centenary Action, founded by Prof Pankhurst in 2018, aims to achieve a gender-equal parliament by 2028. #GenderEquality #WomenInLeadership #FlexibleWorking #VotingRights #CentenaryAction #HelenPankhurst #EqualityInWorkplace #InclusiveWorkplaces