FAIR’S FAIR
This may seem a controversial take, but International Women’s Day annoys me. Now, bear with me before you take to social media to condemn. As the father of a smart, confident, door-slamming teenage daughter, I want her to have - indeed believe she should have - the same opportunities as everyone else to study what she wants, manage her own sexual and reproductive health, wander the world in safety and get paid her worth for her work. International Women’s Day annoys me because it keeps destroying my rose-tinted hopes for my daughter, by reminding me that she doesn’t actually - yet - have the same opportunities. Sadly, there are still people out there who want to exert control over what she does with her body, she will have to live with - and deal with - the threat of sexual violence and when she finally does start work, she’s probably going to be paid less for the same e ort than her male counterparts.
However, perhaps we can draw inspiration from the hundreds of thousands of wartime ‘Rosie the Riveters’ (see page 9) who helped pave the way for female equality in the workforce. During the pandemic, it has primarily been women in the vanguard, putting their lives on the line. Perhaps this display of strength and perseverance will help put an end to the gender pay gap once and for all. Yet equal pay - while still a significant problem - is not the only work-related issue women face. This is why we’ve teamed up with our Dods Diversity and Inclusion colleagues for an online event aimed at ensuring women at work receive the support and recognition they deserve. Expert speakers, including Irish EPP deputy Frances Fitzgerald and Global Inclusion Leader at Deloitte Emma Codd will take the lead at what we hope will be a thought-provoking day of discussion on some of the key impediments to women achieving their best. The supporting Women at Work event will provide insight into topics that a ect women’s careers and progression, such as the motherhood penalty, the menopause, and sexual harassment.
We hope you can join us online on 30 March. See page 43 for more information.