"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it''. Margaret Fuller.
Every International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a reminder of the strides made by women across different fields to overcome gender bias. But at Fuzu we believe celebrating and supporting women should be an all year-round affair and one that requires everyone’s efforts – not just women, if we are committed to achieve inclusion and diversity as a community.
You know what they say: a happy woman makes a happy world. And Fuzu is without a doubt one of the happiest places to work at, thanks to these amazing and intelligent ladies. Meet the women at Fuzu as they share what International Women’s Day means to them and how equality can be achieved in line with this year’s theme #EachforEqual.
Consolata - Content Specialist
International Women's Day is a time for commemorating women who have had impact in the society whether it’s by being a mum, wife, sister, or a leader. And women who have fought against all odds to be where they are, doing remarkable things that impact people in small ways and big ways. It is a day that reminds women who they are and that is powerful, impactful and beautiful. It is a day that reminds women that being in the shadows is not an option and that they cannot be quietened. They should raise their voices when their soft whispers are not heard.
Someone spoke about ensuring that 30% of women are put in leadership and management positions,I disagree. Why? Because it sounds to me like a woman being in a position of leadership is a favor. How about 50/50, now that sounds more like gender parity.I don’t need a favor, I can be a leader because I possess leadership qualities and I’m capable.
My best quote: “ Act as if all your dreams have come true and then challenge your reality to catch up.”
Diana - Talent Success Specialist
International Women’s Day is a global day for celebrating women’s achievements in society. For the longest time women were never considered to be brave enough to make a change in the society, but we impact so many aspects of the world either socially, Economically and Politically. Employers can help bring about gender parity by championing for equality by appreciating diversity and ensuring there are equal opportunities and benefits for men and women. Women should also be respected and shown appreciation for their impact in the world.
My best quote: “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” By Michelle Obama.
Nelly-Head of People
We celebrate everything about women and recognise the achievements made towards equality on International Women’s Day. A key focus for any business that values talent should be on diversity and the constant thought should always be on how to get to gender balance in the organization especially in C suite positions. This starts with everyone participating, for example, a hiring manager ensuring they consider a diverse array of candidates or a meeting lead making sure everyone gets an equal voice to speak during meetings.
My best quote: “Women hold up half the sky which goes to show we all have a part to play in this world and are equal with use.”
Faith Wambui - Community Manager
IWD is a day to celebrate women's contribution and achievements in society. It is also a day to acknowledge the role played by women in society. Employers can bring about gender parity by ensuring all their employees get equal opportunities regardless of their gender, treatment at the workplace should be the same across the bar and also ensure that the ratio of employees does not favour one gender compared to another
My best quote: “Girls, We Run This!”
Naomi - Customer Support Specialist
International Women’s Day is that one day we take time to appreciate all the amazing great women that came before us and paved way so that we can be able to do the amazing things we are doing today without discrimination or fear; these are our mothers, teachers, hairdressers. Employers can help bring about gender equality by removing the gender pay gap because women deserve to earn like their male counterparts, ensuring work-life balance applies to all employees, ensuring rewards and promotions are merit - based and lastly ensuring there no cases of harassment or discrimination to ensure that women feel safe in the workplace.
My best quote: ‘Well behaved women seldom make history. Happy Women’s Day!’
Luizer - Head of Business Development
International Women’s Day is a day to reflect on the women in our lives, those that came before us and those that we want to lead the next generation. It's a day to reflect on individual actions both male and female on how to make the next women generation better than how we found it. It is in it for all of us to build and empower the next generation. I firmly believe that if we all see each other as capable humans and in it for the same goal then this won't be a question but rather an instinct we'd live by.
My best quote: "A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she is in hot water." By Eleanor Roosevelt.
Nilma - Business Development Manager
Women's day is a reminder to everyone - men, women, boy, girl, she, he, it, that they should not only talk the talk but also walk the walk towards equality and actively inspire and empower each other and the next generation.
The employment market is going through a fundamental transformation with technological breakthroughs. Many efforts have focused on supplying these future skills to women and girls, there has been almost no demand efforts to create incentives and opportunities in tech or other high-growth roles. Employers should commit to hardwiring gender parity, ensure women are equally represented in all phases of the talent pipeline. Develop and Recruit 50% female talent with a strong gender-equal reward system into these emerging high-growth, high-volume and leadership roles.
My best quote: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” By Margaret Thatcher.
Patricia - Content Team Lead
International Women’s Day to me means acknowledging women as equal beings to other genders and celebrating their achievements, raising awareness against gender biases and empowering women. Employers can help bring about gender parity by taking action for equality by policing against gender bias.
My best quote: "Run your own race. Raise your own voice. Rejoice in who you are." By Camilla Mankabady.
Ann - Head of Customer Excellence
International Women’s Day is a special day when we appreciate women for their contribution in society. To encourage equality and women participation employers should award women who make significant contributions towards the company.
My best quote: “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong she is until she is in hot water." By Eleanor Roosevelt.
Ruth - Business Development Manager
For me IWD means equal opportunities in life in general, being treated as a person before identifying that I am a woman. It also marks an end to an era of male dominance and the beginning of acceptance for all. Equal pay for equal job done. In 2020, women are also breadwinners and this should be a compelling factor on pay gaps. There should also be equal leadership opportunities for women in organizations.
Sarah - Business Support Specialist
IWD is a day to celebrate women from all over the world doing the most in their capacities to make our world better not only for women but the world at large and future generations. It is also a day to commemorate the rights and freedoms we have achieved so far in education, health, governance etc. and the people who helped us get to this point.
‘#EachforEqual can only be achieved when we have equal opportunities in terms of hiring, promotions and generally killing biases that particular roles are more suited to particular genders.
According to statistics by the World Economic Forum, the gender pay ratio in Kenya was 55ksh/ 100Ksh (woman:man). This gender pay gap should be narrowed. Employers should also create mother and baby-friendly work stations especially considering the biggest women workforce is in the childbearing stage.
My best quote: “To strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!”
Sharon - Talent Acquisition Specialist
For me International Women's day is a time to reflect on the progress we have made as women and to celebrate the milestones we have achieved. I look back and I can confidently say that I am proud to be a woman and proud to be in a country that embraces women in leadership positions. Employers should be very keen on gender equality and inclusiveness in their organisations. A lot is said but not done. Every hiring manager should ensure that both genders are well represented in their teams to avoid gender superiority.
My best quote: “Do not live someone else's life and someone else's idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you”
Evelyn - Business Development Specialist
'' I always believe that where there is a woman, there is magic. Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world. Little girls with dreams become women with vision. International Women's Day is a day we celebrate the social, economical, political wins of women in the world. We get to appreciate ourselves as women and also motivate each other to always be the best we can be. As Margaret Fuller always says, ''If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it''.
UNESCO pushed for the Gender Parity Index to ensure that there is an equal access to education. Employers should also remove the gender pay gap and be transparent about it. Buffer, is an excellent example of a company that has embraced transparency across the entire organization. At some point in their career, one in four women has been subjected to harassment at work. Harassment needs to be identified and immediately stopped.
My best quote: “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” By Melinda Gates.
Photos Credits: Josef Whitaker
