Support a local women’s charity this International Women’s Day…

ONE of the most progressive ways in which women in the workplace can make a positive difference this International Women’s Day is by supporting a local charity that supports local women.

Making a difference to a worthy cause that is committed to helping women manage difficult situations in their lives is one of the most self-fulfilling contributions you can make.

All across the North East there are some fantastic charity organisations that have been put under severe pressure during the pandemic as fundraising sources have come to a halt due to physical distancing rules. This would not only make a nice gesture, but it will also contribute significantly to a charitable organisation supporting women – either locally or nationally.

These charities do trojan work helping women who suffer abuse, poverty and in the fight for gender equality and women’s rights. A good way to make this part of a stand-alone International Women’s Day event is to gather all the women in your workplace together on a zoom call. Ask their opinions on what charities should be chosen; ask why they feel it is worthy of supporting; try to create a wider discussion around the charities about what they do and why they do it.

Another good idea is to contact a representative from a chosen women’s charity and ask them to talk about their work. This is an enlightening exercise that will help educate your workforce on the difficulties faced by other women in society.

EVEN though we wish it were otherwise it seems a working life dependent on zoom calls is here to stay. For many workers this has been the only form of contact with fellow workers in over a year. It’s not ideal, even if we are glad of technology as a tool for social contact.

Zoom calls are stressful and tend to be mainly associated with work-related pressures. Meeting several times a week to discuss the ins and outs of the working week and your work progress is a demanding exercise. That’s why International Women’s Day is a good opportunity to mix things up.

Why not create a zoom session to celebrate and recognise the contribution made by women to your company or workplace? A useful exercise is to ask workers why they feel women are integral to the working environment. Address any concerns on how women can make a better difference. The list of items open for discussion are endless and can make a positive difference to the working environment.

Remember to make it an easy going zoom session. It’s about having an open debate on the impact female workers make to their environment. Life is all about meeting face to face. Make it matter even in these hard-pressed times.