"In time all girls will be able to grow up believing that there are no avenues closed to them simply because they are girls."
~ Margaret Atwood
Ahead of International Women's Day next month, one of our amazing coaches, Uzma Mohamedali, has written about the theme this year of 'Inspire Inclusion'...
"As an executive coach with intersecting identities, working with senior clients across diverse industries, I'm aware every day of the stark realities of gender inequities. And I am committed to doing something about it.
Despite some advances, the sad fact remains that women are still consistently overlooked for promotions despite exceeding expectations. This echoes a larger national narrative: the UK gender pay gap stands at 14.9%, meaning women work a whopping extra 56 days a year for free, compared to men (ONS, May 2023). In leadership roles, women make up only 34.3% of Combined Executive Committee & Direct Reports in FTSE 100 companies (FTSE Women Leaders, Feb 2023). The statistics paint a concerning picture, yet they also represent an opportunity.
Through my coaching practice, I've worked with female leaders who thrive when they are empowered to navigate these challenges. By building confidence, challenging self-limiting beliefs, and honing resilience skills, they have secured promotions and shattered glass ceilings. Being privileged enough to witness their transformation and impact fuels my commitment to inspiring inclusion for women.
And it's not just about individual success, there is a clear positive impact of inclusion on the bottom line. Studies from McKinsey & Company, 2020 demonstrate that diverse teams make better quality decisions and drive higher profitability.
When women are equally represented and empowered, everyone benefits. Imagine the progress we could achieve by unlocking the full potential of a more equal workforce!
I am committed to advocating for systemic change within my industry and beyond. Implementing inclusive practices such as female acceleration programmes, mentoring aspiring female leaders, and raising awareness about unconscious bias are just some of the ways I strive to create a ripple effect.
So, this International Women's Day 2024, let's not just celebrate individual achievements, but recommit ourselves to dismantling barriers and building a truly inclusive future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Join me in embracing equity and inspiring inclusion; together, we can create a world where success becomes the norm, not the exception."
Uzma
What inspires inclusion for you this International Women’s Day?
Something that we have learned from our Masculinity in the Workplace research is that engaging men is vital when looking to improve inclusion and equity for women in the workplace.
We will be sharing more details of the MIW research results in our next newsletter.
If you’re looking for ways to Inspire Inclusion for IWD, drop us an email for workshop or panel ideas to engage both women and men in your organisation.