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So, I stumbled upon something that struck a chord this week. I participated in a survey asking participants about the significance of International Women's Day (IWD) to them. Turns out, nearly half the folks see it as a bit of a corporate smoke screen. Yep, 48% called it a 'corporate greenwashing tool'. Yikes. But also, I get it.
Don't get me wrong — I'm all for dedicating a day to shouting out women's amazing achievements. But when it feels like we're doing more celebrating than actual supporting, like hiring, mentoring, or investing in real change for women, it feels off, right? And with this year's IWD theme being "invest in women", you can't help but sense the irony.
It's wild how the essence of IWD got lost in the mix of public relations — think pink cupcakes for the 'gram, courtesy of a morning tea organised by hardworking women who not only baked the cakes, but no doubt cleaned up afterwards, and then stayed back late because the morning tea cut into their work time. It’s that look-good-on-paper vibe that doesn’t quite sit right.
I'm dreaming of the day when IWD is less about those flashy, "Look! We like women!" posts and more about real moves — closing gender pay gaps, tackling domestic violence, smashing period poverty, getting more women in leadership, and genuinely supporting their careers, especially post-baby.
Imagine asking women if they'd prefer a pizza party or some solid action on equal pay. The answers might not surprise you, but they sure as heck would make a statement.
I'd love to see more brands step up and swap those 24-hour shoutouts for legit, years-long plans that dive deep into making things better. Let's see the folks who talk a big game about equality actually show up and do the hard work.
I've had the honour of working with some mind-blowingly awesome women throughout my career. They're my colleagues, my friends, and my family. They inspire me to champion women every day, not just when it’s trendy. Let's make every day about investing in women, not just when IWD rolls around.
What do you think? Ready to push for more than just a day of recognition?