International Women’s Day 2023
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive; where difference is valued and celebrated.
International Women’s Day belongs to everyone, everywhere, and we at the Worshipful Company of Plumbers are celebrating this day, alongside raising awareness. #Women in the Livery (WIL)
The theme for 2023 is #EmbraceEquity, emphasising the need to understand the difference between equity and equality.
- Celebrate women’s achievements
- Raise awareness about discrimination
- Take action to drive gender parity
“Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA, and it’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.” Source.
- Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.
- Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2022 reports that the global gender gap has been closed by 68.1%. At the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach full parity.
The Report comments that: “As crises are compounding, women’s workforce outcomes are suffering, and the risk of global gender parity backsliding further intensifies.”
However, when it comes to achieving workplace equality, the Report shows it will take another 151 years.
Men still hold a clear advantage in being promoting to leadership roles. Meanwhile, female founders are starting their own businesses at a faster rate than men.
Gender gaps in the workforce are driven and affected by many factors, including long-standing structural barriers, socioeconomic and technological transformation, as well as economic shocks.
More women have been moving into paid work and, increasingly, leadership positions, yet globally societal expectations, employer policies, the legal environment and the availability of care continue to play an important role in the choice of educational tracks and career trajectories.
Although no country has yet achieved full gender parity, the top 10 economies have closed at least 80% of their gender gaps, with Iceland (90.8%) leading the global ranking. The UK, sadly, is not in this list:
Complied by Elise Maynard
On behalf of the Women in the Livery (WIL) team (Kate Fuller, Elise Maynard, Sandra Raine, Janet Rivers, Sarah Oliver, Julie Spinks)