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Recognising International Women’s Day 2023

Members of our team share their experiences of International Women’s Day, and what it means to them.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual initiative that is recognised on 8th March each year.

It aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also highlighting that there is still more to be done in the context of gender equality and equity.

This year’s theme is embrace equity, and is designed to highlight that "equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have," and is different from equality.

So, today we celebrate our team members, those at our sister agency Sledge, and all women in our professional and personal lives.

In recognition of the day, we also asked some members of the SWM Partners team to share their experiences of IWD, and what it means to them. You can see what they had to say below.

Thushani Bernard, Scientific Programme Manager

For me, International Women's Day is a reminder and celebration of women's equality in all walks of life.
It is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to acknowledge how far we have come and to look at how we can improve our future. IWD also imbeds hope into the younger generation that there is more positive change to come.

Samantha Lowney, Finance Director

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate and reflect on the achievements, sacrifices, endurance, and perseverance of our visionary forebearers to advance women's rights.

It represents an opportunity to genuinely support and assist women who are not as fortunate to have equal opportunities, and to recognise not to take our predecessor achievements and current entitlements for granted – we owe women all over the world, including future generations, a clear vision for those currently struggling with equality, equity and recognition.

IWD is a time to recognise:

Our abilities to be highly effective leaders and managers.
The life partners, family members and friends of all genders who support us through the ups and downs.
Those from all walks of life and genders who have supported our predecessors and ourselves, and continue to support us every day.
The challenges women currently face day-to-day, on a global scale.

It is very different from Mother's Day or any other public holiday celebration. IWD is specific to all women, and provides us with the chance to praise women and girls from all walks of life, by raising awareness of gender, race, and religion, as well as beliefs, across the world, embracing equity to help drive success and equality for all.

As digital and technological advancements evolve, it is also time to celebrate the opportunities now available to learn and share in terms of access to education, standards of living, inclusion in all areas of life, and awareness of the environment.

I, myself, have continued to learn and advance my skills by utilising technology in a flexible method for advancement in finance, for which I am both grateful and proud to have achieved.

IWD is the one day every year to admire women as a whole and empower women in everyday life, which can only benefit us all as we work towards achieving a more sustainable future, and a more unified world.

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Greta Nicholls, Project Director

This year’s International Women's Day theme is #EmbraceEquity, and aims to get people talking about "why equal opportunities aren't enough."

No matter what our gender is, we all start our lives from different places and circumstances, so true inclusion requires equitable action to help and nurture everyone to achieve whatever goals they have and aspire to. This is not only relevant in the workplace but throughout every aspect of life.

I invite you to look at the 2023 IWD campaign and videos, and challenge yourself to think about the differences between equality and equity. How can we all be ambassadors for making a positive step towards true equity? What can we do to drive a more inclusive world?

Zahra Gembidge, Scientific Programme Manager

International Women’s Day makes me feel hopeful, and acts as a reminder of support and community. I see strong, inspirational women throughout my life, and it is lovely to see them celebrated.

It’s also a reminder of the struggles of the women that came before us, shows us that they were worth it; and that consequently, reassures us that any struggles we face today, we will overcome, and they will be worth it too.

IWD is my birthday! This means that I have a distinct recollection of how this date has been celebrated during my lifetime. Growing up in the UK, it wasn’t acknowledged, at least not in a way that was visible to me.

As a child, I would eagerly share this exciting fact about just how important my birth date was, often to blank expressions or a thoughtful "hmmm" (if I had a receptive audience).

Although it saddens me now, then I knew no different, and it made me believe that women were not as appreciated and that their stories were not as important.

Thankfully, over the last decade this has changed dramatically! Seeing other women thank and support each other, and join together from around the world, and to feel a part of that global movement is exhilarating.

Today we share knowledge that addresses women’s needs to improve the chances our girls will have tomorrow. It makes my insides smile to think that more and more will not think like I did.

IWD reassures me that we are working towards a time where the opinion that the unique needs of women deserve equal respect and resources is universal.