Women’s History Month 2021
Despite making up 50% of the world’s population, women are still incredibly underrepresented in the history books, media, top level boardroom positions, government and positions of power. Women’s History Month offers us an opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions women make to society, and celebrate the part they play in achieving a more balanced, equal and fair world for all.
Projecting current trends, it will take another 99.5 years to close the global gender pay gap and 257 years to close the economic gap.
World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2020
Women’s equality in 2021
Earlier this year the UK government came under scrutiny for sharing a Stay Home. Save Lives. ad campaign which showed only women carrying out domestic chores, and the one man depicted kicking back on the sofa. Following wide-spread scrutiny and social media backlash, the government did withdraw the advert, stating that the advert did "not reflect its view on women", but for many the damage was already done.
Since the start of the pandemic, a number of media outlets and research bodies have also cited that mandated lockdown has exacerbated the unpaid domestic and household labour of women, including taking on more of the caring responsibilities as working from home continues. Women are increasingly concerned about their job security and promotion prospects, and Labour have said that at it’s current progress rate women in their mid-30s will never know equal pay in their working lives.
There have been some silver linings though. In recent weeks the government published their most recent update on the Hampton Alexander Review, which saw female-held positions on FTSE 350 Boards up by 50% since 2015. There are now no all-male Boards in the FTSE 350. This progress shows us that transparency, self-reflection and a genuine desire to make a change can indeed increase the pace of change for the better. But there needs to be much more action for us to achieve gender parity for all.
Celebrating some of the incredible women who have contributed to equality
For this reason, the Gender Inclusion Network are celebrating a small number of incredible women that have made a difference to our world. It would be impossible for us to recognise every single woman who deserves to be featured in our list, but our committee have compiled a list of those who are particularly close to their hearts.
We thank all of these women, from the past and the present, for helping to make a more inclusive society for each and every one of us.
Together we can close the gender pay gap, and the gender economic gap in our lifetime, not 100 years.
Further reflections during March 2021
Many of our activities during March were designed to celebrate the contributions of some of the incredible women from our past and present. However for many of us, March this year presented new, uncomfortable challenges which have made us pause to reflect on the role women are viewed and treated by society.
We responded to two specific activities that were particularly prevalent in the news, but we will be following up with panel discussions, events, and more on these topics. The most important thing we can do to drive change is continue to talk openly and challenge everyone to create a more equal society for all, regardless of gender.
