As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we share a note from Sophie Jackson, Joint Publisher & Head of Strategic content at the Treasury Today Group on this year’s theme. In recognition of International Women’s Day, this two-part article will delve into this year’s IWD theme and our second installation further explores race and gender equity with India Gary-Martin, Founder and CEO at Leadership for Execs.
Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), 8th March 2023, and this year’s theme is Embrace Equity. This concept of equity is close to our hearts in the work of Women in Treasury and the whole Treasury Today Group concerning gender and race.
In the first part of our two-part article, we delve into this year’s IWD theme. Our second installation further explores race and gender equity with India Gary-Martin, Founder and CEO at Leadership for Execs, a phenomenal business leader, coach and board member based in the US.
So, what do we mean by the term equity as opposed to equality, what is the nuance to this conversation? At a high level as India Gary-Martin once explained it, ‘equality is giving everyone the same pair of shoes and equity is giving everyone a pair of shoes that fit’. Equality means offering everyone the same situation and equity involves understanding that we are all different and have different needs to achieve our full potential.
When we speak of diversity and inclusion nowadays the acronym DEI is often employed. When it comes to the ‘E’ let us all lean more in 2023 towards being curious about what equity really means. This term is distinct from equality and it helps to look for examples of situations where we can understand which pair of shoes might best suit each individual’s needs.
An example that sticks out, on a personal level, is regarding practicalities in the workplace. Equality is letting everyone, regardless of gender, come to work in the same workplace with the same opportunities, but equity involves understanding that women may need something different from such a space, for example, nursing rooms, or gender inclusive toilets to enable our non-binary colleagues to feel safe and included.
We will be exploring equity in all our conversations around the workplace and inclusivity this year as we celebrate and champion progress for women every day of the year. Stay tuned for our second part with India Gary-Martin later this month.
We are also pleased to announce the dates for our global Women in Treasury Forums, and would be delighted for you to join us. Our Women in Treasury Forums are a key part of our global Women in Treasury initiative, held annually in Singapore, London, and New York. Providing the opportunity to hear senior industry panellists debate some of the key issues highlighted by our Women in Treasury Global Study. Bringing together all genders from across the industry to share their insights, challenges and successes as an inspiration to all operating in this field. These events offer a superb networking opportunity, providing a platform to establish valuable new contacts and share experiences and advice with many others in the industry.
Wishing all our community a successful International Women’s Day and we look forward to embracing equity with our global community every day.
