International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the progress made towards gender equality, but also to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. One of the most important steps we can take towards a more just and equal world is to embrace equity.

Equity means recognising that everyone has different needs and experiences, and working to ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. This is especially important for women, who have historically faced systemic barriers that have prevented them from reaching their full potential.

Sadly, it is. A report from LeanIn.org on Women in the Workplace 2022 found:

• Women are still dramatically underrepresented in leadership: only 1 in 4 C-suite executives is a woman, and only 1 in 20 is a woman of colour.
• The “broken rung” is still holding women back: for every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, only 87 women are promoted, and only 82 women of colour are promoted.
• Female leaders are leaving their companies at higher rates than ever before. For every woman at the director level who gets promoted, two women directors are choosing to leave their company.

Embracing equity means taking action to dismantle these barriers and create a more level playing field. It means advocating for policies and practices that support women and address the root causes of gender inequality. It means recognising and addressing the ways in which race, class, and other factors intersect with gender to create even greater barriers for some women.

As a people-first company, we believe that embracing equity isn't just the right thing to do - it's also the smart thing to do. Research has shown that organisations that prioritise equity and diversity are more innovative, more productive, and more successful in the long run. By embracing equity, we can create a better world not just for women in our team, but for everyone.

I am a strong advocate for women's rights in the workplace. I firmly believe that everyone should be treated with the same level of respect and dignity. My aim is to encourage all women to find their voice and use it to make a positive difference in their workplaces and across their communities. Furthermore, I hope all of us can realise our full potential and continue to achieve success.

Please join me in celebrating Coeo’s commitment to embracing equity and working towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their gender or background.