IWD: a celebration of choosing to challenge
The Gender Inclusion Network is run by a network of dedicated volunteer committee members who share a passion for achieving gender parity in the insurance industry. We are able to run our calendar of events, industry insights and produce inspiring content thanks to our committee, and the contributions of our sponsor companies.
In recognition of the combined efforts of our committee, and their sponsor companies, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on some of the incredible efforts to celebrate International Women’s Day and get behind this year’s theme of #choosetochallenge.
From videos to podcasts, panel events to personal insights, our sponsors really went the extra mile this year to celebrate the incredible contribution women make to society, our industry, and the world.
We hope you enjoy looking through the highlights!
The Gender Inclusion Network
Our committee came together to #choosetochallenge equality for everyone in the insurance industry, regardless of gender.
Shining a light on female inequality in 2021
We also used International Women’s Day as a chance to shine a light on some of the inequalities that affect women across the world over on our blog.
Our collaborative event with Victor, Dovetail, ICAT, and iWIN
“The official theme for IWD 2021 is "Choose to Challenge", recognising the need to call out gender bias and inequality. As women around the world battle the social, economic and political fallout from COVID-19, the need for this is greater than ever.
“The biggest takeaway from our IWD event was knowing your strength, understanding your individual value as a woman, celebrating and recognising the value women can add, and allowing people to be authentically themselves in any walk of life.
“This applies to all people not just women but if women lead from the front on this it can be an inspiration to all others. For me this IWD event was also an opportunity to recognise women, how much we have juggled and the people that support us to be brilliant.
“All of the speakers ranged in seniority all of them were warm, grounded, down to earth and spoke in a language anyone from a graduate to a senior manager could relate to. Being so ambitious and successful, and responsible for that many people but the ability to stay so connected, rooted and authentic I found really inspiring!
“If you’re experiencing ‘Zoom fatigue’, tried every banana bread recipe, tired of cooking every meal, struggling to find the positivity, you are not alone and whilst we all collectively grieve over family and friends’ losses, plans we didn’t see through, the event reminded me that we’re all in this together. Same storm, different boat.”
- Sabrina Pyneeandy, GIN co-chair and panelist
You can watch the full event at any time over on our YouTube channel:
Our sponsors celebrate IWD
One thing was clear from the activity on International Women’s Day 2021. Our sponsors are ready to #choosetochallenge gender bias and inequality, and celebrate the incredible achievements of women in our industry. We’ve included a few of the highlights here, but we know there was much more going on behind the scenes. Thank you to everyone who made this groundswell of activity happen.
Aon
Aon celebrated their women leaders and their key insights about how organisations can navigate towards a new better. Find out more by clicking on their LinkedIn post below.
AIG
On #InternationalWomensDay and every other day of the year, AIG are committed to being active allies to women everywhere. #AIGAllies #IWD2021.
They also celebrated female talent by shining a light on Nubiaa Shabaka who shared her experience and her mother teaching her about the importance of education, hard work and resilience. You can read more here.
Beazley
Beazley colleagues Sarah Booth and Chelsey Sprong shared their joint pledge on IWD, alongside the Month-long #ChooseToChallenge Beazley campaign to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month
Euler Hermes
Impostor Syndrome is one of the reasons of the under-representation of women in #leadership and strategic positions. Euler Hermes Board Member Florence Lecoutre shared her vision and hopes on this topic. Watch the video by clicking below to learn more.
Euler Hermes also celebrated Cathy O'Dowd, first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest from both sides, with her unique insights on teamwork. They also saw colleagues come together to #choosetochallenge gender bias and inequality.
Markel
To acknowledge IWD, Markel hosted a virtual event for employees, where colleagues could hear from some of their inspiring female leaders; Joanna Browning, Jennifer Devereaux, Nicola Sumner and Juliet Redfern.
RSA Group
Our sponsor RSA Group rallied together their colleagues in the UK, Europe, and Ireland to celebrate the #choosetochallenge, acknowledging peoples personal commitments to achieving gender equality.
One of their colleagues, Lisa Dowd-Patel, also shared her own views on the theme of #choosetochallenge.
Tokio Marine Kiln
TMK’s Holly Strettle, Catherine Walker-Green, Su Fen Lim and Andrew Witts joined an interactive panel to discuss combating gender bias, lessons they have learnt and career experiences. The event was hosted by TMK’s Head of HR James Shepherd to celebrate #IWD2021 #choosetochallenge #InternationalWomensDay #GenderEquality #IWD21
Travelers
Travelers Europe asked their employees to share their thoughts on International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, with one Travelers colleague Christine Williams sharing who has inspired her.
Travelers Talks also hosted a podcast with senior female leader from law (Georgia Dawson) and insurance (Judy O’Neill). You can listen back here.
Willis Towers Watson
WTW said women's equality can't wait. Colleagues from around the WTW business share how everyone has a role to calling out gender bias and inequity. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. #IWD2021 marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Zurich
Zurich celebrated some of their female leaders and encouraged colleagues to not let their career path be decided by fate.
