INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2023 EMBRACE EQUITY

8 March 2023

“Equality is giving everyone a shoe. Equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits.”

On 8th March, and every single day, we celebrate the achievements of women the world over.

For last year’s blog, our Fortus team discussed all things related to ‘bias’ and what we pledged as individuals, as well as a business, to do to #BreaktheBias. For 2023’s theme, our commitment and enthusiasm for not only living by our values (in this case, ‘Inclusive’), but also in challenging the roles we play against each theme, is no different.

 

WHAT DOES #embraceequity MEAN?

For this year’s theme, IWD’s 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign aims to create more conversations about ‘why equal opportunities aren’t enough’.

Firstly, let’s start off with the difference between “equity” and “equality”. Although used interchangeably, they do in fact mean different things!

Equality means a person or people being given the same resources or opportunities.

Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Not everyone’s presented with the same opportunities in life, unfortunately.

Factors such as race, location, economic status, employment status, sexuality, and even your gender can mean people are treated unfavourably in certain circumstances. However, being given the same opportunities as others doesn’t necessarily equate to an equal outcome.

So, to be truly inclusive this needs to change and action needs to be taken.

Now’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can all be part of the solution – rather than the problem. Let’s all embrace equity today, and always.

WHAT DOES ‘EMBRACING EQUITY’ MEAN TO YOU?

The most important thing to me when it comes to embracing equity is…

 

…Challenging gender stereotypes

James Martinez, Finance Manager.

Alex Briggs, Manager.

Laura O’Regan, Manager.

Carly Liston, Executive Director.

Emma Krisciunas, Audit Senior.

Megan McGuckin, Audit Assistant Manager.

Jess Hoyle, Digital Marketing Senior.

Kelsi Harvey-Green, Business Support Assistant.

David McGeachy, Head of VAT.

Jenny Layton, Business Support Manager.

Zoe Waring, People Manager.

…Calling out discrimination

Giles Tilbury, Accounts Senior.

Megan Hill, Demand Campaign Manager.

James Levitt, Accounts Senior.

Rukaiya Tarki, Audit Senior.

Helena Meng, Audit Assistant.

Tim Stringfellow, Corporate Finance Consultant.

Chris Dell, Head of Brand & Creative.

Lisa Kingham, Business Support Senior.

Lauren Upton, Accounts Manager.

Sophie Miller, Audit Assistant.

Jamilah Begum, Audit Assistant.

Julie Pickin, Payroll Manager.

Irene Dymond, Property Consultant.

Caroline Bell, Accounts Executive.

…Drawing attention to bias

Louise McGowan, Tax Manager.

Chunwei Guo, Service Charge Manager.

Ellen Scott, Audit Assistant.

Lauren Anderson, Service Charge Executive.

Shelly Main, Accounts Senior.

Rayna McNair, Employer Brand Executive.

Chris Henrick, Head of Finance.

Jo Taylor, HR Assistant.

…Seeking out inclusion

Rachel Ennis, Recovery Assistant Manager.

Jodie Fardoe, Senior Copywriter.

Antonia Aldridge-Brown, Audit Senior Manager.

Angela Taylor, Senior Manager.

Vicki Kirkcaldy, Service Charge Manager.

Rachel Rimmer, Manager.

Lois Normington, Client Management & Engagement Co-ordinator.

Kathryn Hill, Innovations Tax Reliefs Tax Manager.

Ros Haynes, Tax Manager.

Liam Murphy, Accounts Assistant Manager.

Vicki Myers-Hewitson, Payroll Manager.

Mevish Hussain, Accounts Assistant.

Matthew Dobbie, Accounts Executive.

Bruce Keir, Senior HR Consultant.

…Engaging with communities/organisations that serve marginalised groups

Janice Essam, Credit Controller.

Tom Dovaston, Accounts Assistant.

…acknowledging privilege and counter-balancing opportunities accordingly

Gemma Rutland, Accounts Senior.

…ensuring that women have access to local support networks and the resources required in order for them to succeed.

Paula Carter, Senior Corporate Finance Manager.

To find out more about International Women’s Day and this year’s theme of “#EmbraceEquity”, visit their theme page here.

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