News

International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day that seeks to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year, the theme for International Women's Day is "Embrace Equity," a call to action to promote gender equality and create a more inclusive world for everyone.

Equity is not the same as equality. Equality is giving everyone the same thing, while equity recognizes that different people have different needs and allocates resources accordingly. 

Embracing equity means recognizing and addressing the systemic barriers that women and girls face. Women around the world face gender discrimination, harassment, and violence. They are paid less than men for the same work, and are underrepresented in leadership positions. Women also face additional challenges based on other aspects of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and ability.

We also know our members are not excluded from this discrimination or from facing these barriers.

We know from the DIV.e In Survey from Matrix360 that 83% of ARIDO members identify as female. We also know from the survey that 29% of members report experiencing sexism, and 15% report experiencing misogyny (prejudice against women) within their workplace.

Matrix360 DIV.e In Survey

To embrace equity, we need to take action at every level. Governments can enact policies to promote gender equality, such as equal pay laws and quotas for women in leadership positions. Employers can implement diversity and inclusion programs, and ensure that women have the same opportunities for career advancement as men. Individuals can educate themselves on the issues and advocate for change.

It is essential to recognize that achieving equity requires the involvement of everyone. Men and boys also have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality. They can challenge gender stereotypes and speak out against discrimination and violence. They can also advocate for policies that promote gender equality.

The theme of #EmbraceEquity reminds us that we all have a responsibility to create a more equitable world for everyone. By working together, we can build a society that values and respects the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their gender or other aspects of their identity.