Happy International Women's Day!!!
To all my fellow female assistants, I hope that wherever you were today, that your company celebrated you, along with your other female colleagues. Diversity is hot topic for most, if not all businesses and I hope that wherever you work, they empower you to access and enjoy the same opportunities, regardless of your gender. International Women's Day has been celebrated for a long time, in fact since the early 1900's, and it's a day where we recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women. Unfortunately though in 2017 equality for women is still something we are striving for and is still far from being parity. Today I learnt of some pretty shocking Australian statistics that I had to share with you to back this position that we still have so far to go:
- The national gender pay gap between men and women is 16.2%, down from 19% in 2016
- The fulltime average weekly earnings difference between men and women is $260.10
- The gender pay gap in ASX 200 organisations is 28.7%
- The gender pay gap in the sporting industry alone is 50%
- The average superannuation balance for women at retirement is 52.8% less than men
- The proportion of CEO's who are female is 15.4%
- Out of Melbourne's 106 suburbs, a single woman can only afford to rent one bedroom flats in just over a quarter of the city
Some pretty depressing statistics, I'm sure you'll agree and according to the World Economic Forum we won't reach global parity in social or economic terms until 2186!!! Something that we will not even see in our lifetime.
This year's International Women's Day message is #BeBoldforChange, and is a call out for all women to step up, speak up and boldly ask for what they want. Although we have come a long way with gender equality and parity there is still so far to go. But being bold for change starts with each of us, nothing will change unless we stand up and make it happen. This subject is one that really is very close to my heart, especially as an EA. I'm a firm believer that it's up to each of us, not just today, but everyday to do our part in living this message.
Today I had the privilege of being invited to attend the #IWD2017MelbourneSyle luncheon at The Peninsula at Docklands (in Melbourne) where a line up of inspirational and incredibly brave and successful women got up and spoke to us, encouraging us all to work together in an effort to accelerate towards our goal for equality. Each of the four speakers spoke of the same theme - 'be the change you want to see'. An idea that resonates with me personally, especially when it comes to being taken seriously as an administration professional. I've blogged before around the importance of perceptions and only being treated as senior as you act. If you want to be respected and even demolish the negative stereotypes that have forever been attached to our roles as Assistants, its something that must start with you and the brand you emit to the world. Take a look in the mirror and think about what you see. What changes could you make to better yourself and your brand? Whatever it is that you want, it's up to you to go out there and get it. Plan for the life you want to have and be prepared to push yourself in to an 'uncomfortable' zone to get there. Life was never meant to be easy, and if you're striving for it to be better, for yourself and for all of us, you must be prepared to change your perceptions and push yourself in to a place that you may not necessarily be one that's comfortable. If we want to bold for change we need to make an impact by creating our own ripple effect. And remember that it only takes one ripple to start a wave! And with each of us making our own waves we can literally can become a furious ocean. I saw a great quote today that I just must share with you all that really backs this idea that we must unite for change:
"There is a special place in hell for women who don't
help other women"
Madeleine Albright
It couldn't be more true! We must help each other to help ourselves, and help each other to achieve equality for all of us. So what will you do to be bold? What will you do to lead the charge and be a change maker? Just two questions that have really got me thinking today, and I hope they also will have you thinking too.
Labels: Advice
