As a full-time working mom, I’ve experienced gender-based bias in the workplace as I continue advancing in my career. It’s always been uncomfortable to address these biases in a workplace but we can’t grow and change without experiencing discomfort. I’ve learned through the years that we all need to lean into constructive discomfort when it happens. This year, breaking the bias for International Women’s Day is the theme!
We should strive to encourage the people around us to recognize when something feels uncomfortable, and instead of reflexively turning away from it, get curious and start asking why. Why some things are considered normal and why we try to avoid certain situations. When we come to an understanding of our own internal processes, we can share this with other people and encourage a culture of personal responsibility and reflection. We have the opportunity to encourage and challenge gender bias and inequality.
Women across the world contribute to society, the economy, science and other sectors in many ways. This is not something new; We’ve always done so. Our contributions add up, are invaluable and should not go unrecognized and unappreciated. As a society, we need to recognize the contributions of all women, uplift those who need support and be grateful to all the women who stood before us fighting for gender equality even before we were born.
Every year on March 8th, across the world, we celebrate the achievements of women and reinforce a commitment to women’s equality. The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022 campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. Check out this video as a start.
- Imagine a gender equal world.
- A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
- A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
- A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
- Together we can forge women’s equality.
- Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Will you help break the bias?
Cross your arms to show solidarity. Strike the IWD 2022 pose and share your #BreakTheBias photos on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias #MomsAroundLouisville to encourage others to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.
Here’s a few ways you can celebrate this special day:
- Wear a purple ribbon. Purple has been associated with women power ever since the suffragette movement. Show the world that you believe in the power of women by wearing a purple ribbon this week!
- Get informed. Take time to learn about women and girls in other parts of the world. What are their lives like? What can you do about inequality, poverty and injustice?
- Tell the first woman or girl you meet in the morning how wonderful she is and give her a big smile. We all need a bit of positive reinforcement to be our best!
- Be kind to yourself and to others. Take a moment to reflect on acts of kindness you’ve experienced or offered up to others. Celebrate them.
Want to teach your little girls about International Women’s Day? Here is an awesome site to get a few ideas on how to celebrate and learn about inspirational women in history.
Interested in learning a little more about the history of International Women’s Day? Check out this page to learn about how the industrial revolution resulted in a strong desire for significant and lasting change among many including women.
