Women all over the world are celebrated during the month of March. I, through my ‘Wheel of Life’ Series, marked International Women’s Month, this year, through my program, ‘Embracing Equity in the Corporate and Social Space.’
This year’s speakers, business leader, Tucci Ivowi and etiquette coach, Sika Goka, made their sessions practical by using engaging illustrations. Tucci Ivowi not only spoke about the difference between equality and equity but also challenged women to take up the opportunities when they are given them. Sika Goka discussed the do’s and don’ts when it comes to networking. The program, according to those who attended was impactful, Rachel Dedey (a participant), said that “This program had all the ingredients, fun, engaging and educative, I can’t wait for the next program.”
Embracing equity (the theme for the month) means embracing diversity, it also means understanding that different people have different needs (there isn’t always a level playing field) therefore one needs to find ways to support the different needs of people to position them for success.
Women now can certainly perform many of the roles that have been previously ascribed to males like that of a pilot, or factory manager, meaning things are moving in the right direction.
Women have worked tirelessly over the centuries for women to enjoy some of the rights they have now, for example when you look at the late 1800’s there was the women’s suffrage movement, which was basically a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States. It took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win that right, and the campaign was not easy, but it is said that on August 18th, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was finally ratified, this meant that all American women like men, were given all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship including voting. This of course had a ripple effect across countries all over the world. This couldn’t have been done without the support of men.
Women have shown that they are more than capable of doing what they set their minds to. However, a concerted effort must be made to allow women to be given the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
Happy International Women’s Month.
