Today is International Women’s Day, and it’s a perfect time to reflect on the journey of women in the workplace. This day is not only a celebration of the achievements and progress we’ve made but also a reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead.
Women bring unique perspectives, creativity, and leadership styles that enrich the workplace. At Raise the Bar, we are fortunate enough to have a largely female leadership team and their resilience, empathy, and determination to drive inclusive environments has a hugely positive impact on how we do business.
Celebrating these qualities is essential, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day, as they contribute significantly to our collective success. I am really proud that within Raise the Bar we have worked hard to remove barriers to female career progression. However, I know all too well that in many sectors and organisations these still exist.
Professionally, women frequently face gender bias and inequality, which can manifest in pay gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and limited access to mentorship and growth opportunities.
Personally, managing career aspirations alongside family and societal expectations often places an additional burden on women. The societal pressure to adhere to traditional roles while striving for professional success can lead to a complex juggling act, impacting both personal fulfilment and career growth.
Pregnancy and menopause are significant life stages that bring about not only physical changes but also emotional and psychological shifts that are unique to women. The stigma and lack of understanding surrounding these key stages of life can exacerbate the challenges women face, making it difficult for them to seek support. This can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even discrimination, hindering their wellbeing and career advancement.
On a personal note, experiencing these stages whilst juggling a career has opened my eyes and, honestly, has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It has highlighted to me the importance of empathy, flexibility, and support systems in the workplace. However, it’s through these challenges that I’ve found strength and determination, learning to champion not only my own growth, but also to be a cheerleader for women on similar journeys in our organisation and beyond.
At Raise the Bar, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where women feel valued, heard and empowered to reach their full potential. This is not just about fairness, but about respecting and valuing the contributions of women at every stage of their journey. Through support, mentoring, leadership development, and wellness initiatives, we are committed to breaking down the barriers that women face and creating opportunities for them to shine.
Equally, this is not just about our women, we share experiences and knowledge with the men in our business and provide guidance, for example, via our menopause policy, so they have a greater understanding and empathy with their female colleagues, family and friends.
This is not just internal for us. Our incredibly successful Women in Leadership Apprenticeships and Empower programmes supports other companies looking to break down the barriers and give every woman the opportunity to succeed, free from bias and limitations. I love hearing the impact these programmes have had on the individuals and the businesses involved – it is truly inspiring and I feel like we are making a real difference in this arena.
So, this International Women’s Day, I say to the other women reading this – know that you are not alone, that your voice matters and that your potential is limitless. Go out there and smash it!