International Women's Day Theme is #PressforProgress

March is Women's History Month. In addition, on March 8, numerous countries around the world – from Algeria to Vietnam, from the USA to Australia – will observe International Women’s Day. Although great strides have been made, and 2017 saw the #metoo movement bring abuse issues to the forefront, and the need for more equality more urgently felt, recent studies project that we are far from reaching equality.

2018 sees the world press for progress

In 2018, the International Women’s Day campaign theme is “Press  for Progress,” encouraging everyone to pursue gender parity, which sadly the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2017 Global Gender Gap Report states is more than 200 years away. The 2018 Press for Progress campaign theme will continue from International Women’s Day throughout the year and serves as a strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

Gender parity and business go hand-in-hand for progressive companies

According to the International Women's Day official website, the emphasis on International Women’s Day is reflected by major global corporations who understand the importance of gender parity in hiring job candidates, customer base and serving their communities. Global professional services firm, EY, devotes considerable energy and attention to its Women. Fast Forward initiative that places women at the very centre of the firm’s decision making and activity.

Vodafone, as a further example, launched its ReConnect programme in 2017 to bring talented women from 26 countries into the workplace after a career break. The company also announced it would increase the number of women in management roles, and place a new “gender gap” focus in emerging markets customer base to bring transformative benefits of mobile networks and services to 50 million women in some of the world's poorest communities in India and Africa.

Connecting communities is highly plausible with social networking sites, which allow people to chat all around the world. The Facebook report showing that International Women’s Day was most talked about in 2017, shows that the significance of they day is not waning, but is entrenched as a key annual event, providing a platform for collective action and shared ownership in driving gender parity, which continues to expand its reach.

What about you and your business? 

Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist, once explained: "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."

Each and every year, International Women's Day remains an important moment to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater gender parity. How will you press for progress?

Do you care about human rights?

Are you going to open spaces for all voices to be heard, including women's voices?

Are you going to take a moment to celebrate the women in your life who have inspired and/or support you?

Are you going to highlight today the women in your organization that are making important contributions and big and small ways?

Will you @PressforProgress of all women around you this year?

Remember. . .

Only through connection and collaboration will our world become more just and inclusive. It starts with you, where you are. In your home, in your business, in your social circles, in your town.  Let's do it! Lets #PressforProgress!