International Women’s Day 2022

International Women’s Day, an annual celebration on March 8, is a global day to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s a call for collective action and shared ownership for accelerating gender parity. 

Last year, I shared how we still have a long journey ahead of us to create a truly inclusive world for women and girls. That same sentiment stands today. There’s still work to be done.

It’s 2022, let’s break the bias

This year’s theme is Break the Bias: imagine a gender equal world that is free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination, and where differences and values are celebrated. 

While writing this blog post, I came across an excerpt from The McKinsey Podcast’s episode on the state of burnout for women in the workplace. According to McKinsey, “for every 100 men that leap forward, only 86 women do.” This is happening at the beginning of women’s careers which means that from day one women are held back and never have the opportunity to catch up. 

The workplace and career advancement for women is only one area that we need to work towards breaking the bias.

Bias, whether unconscious or deliberate, is a barrier for women’s opportunities and advancement. We are all aware that bias exists, but what action are you, me, and our peers taking to break it? 

I’ve rounded up actions and resources you can take today, on International Women’s Day, and beyond to work towards breaking the bias.

5 ways you can help #BreakTheBias 

• Free Bystander Intervention Training
  Right To Be is offering free bystander intervention training throughout the month of March. What is bystander training? Around the world, women, girls, and transgender and gender non-binary individuals experience street harassment because of gender identity or gender expression. Bystander intervention training teaches you how to recognize sexual harassment and discrimination and how to safely intervene. Intervention is a critical step towards breaking the bias.
  
  
• Curated library from LinkedIn Learning
  LinkedIn Learning has curated a collection of training and educational resources. There are 100+ videos and courses including an extensive collection on bias, societal labels, elevating women’s voices, diversity, equity, and inclusion, allyship, and cultural diversity. You can access the curated library here.
  
  
• Immersive diversity, equity, and inclusion learning
  Bloom, a full-service workplace design consultancy, offers best-in-class digital program for DEI learning via the Bloom Academy. The course offers context-specific learning experiences so you can show up for people in an inclusive and authentic way. 
  
  
• There are a number of charities and nonprofits that are designed to help women and girls around the world. Here are a few:
  • UN Women has a dedicated donation page set-up to support Ukraine and the women and girls who are in a time of greatest need.
  • World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the largest international youth movement dedicated to girls and young women, has been an IWD charity of choice for 15 years. 
  • Catalyst, a global nonprofit, works with companies around the world to build workplaces that work for women.
    
    
• Advocate
  Advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. It’s a difficult time in our world. Now more than ever, it’s important to stand up, take action, and challenge bias. Collective action empowers change.
  

There are a number of ways you can support International Women’s Day. From resources, training, donations, or participating in an event, to advocating and challenging bias. Together, it’s possible to enact real change. Change that impacts the everyday lives of women and girls. Change that reaches gender parity in my lifetime, your lifetime, and the lives of the future generation of changemakers. 

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” - Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist.