This International Women's Day, ZestHR is all in on the UN's theme for 2024: Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
It's not just a catchy slogan; it's our wake-up call to push for real economic empowerment for women everywhere.
We're drawing inspiration from the big conversations happening at the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women. "Count Her In" is all about finding those key steps to make sure women and girls get their fair shot at economic success. Despite some wins in the gender equality arena, there’s still a long road ahead. Too many women are still on the sidelines because they don’t have the same access to education, jobs, or even basic financial know-how.
Here at ZestHR, we're stepping up our game. We're not about just talking the talk; we're committed to making a real difference:
Opening Doors: We're all about creating and backing initiatives that help women chase their dreams, whether it’s furthering their education or climbing the career ladder.
Spreading Knowledge: We're passionate about equipping women with the financial literacy skills they need to confidently make life and work decisions.
We asked our team some important questions about International Women's Day because having conversations about how we're working to change the world is an important part of our day. Here's what the ZestHR team had to say:
What does International Women's Day mean to you personally and professionally?
T: IWD is a day to celebrate our achievements and each other in uplifting and empowering our women colleagues. As a woman that’s worked predominantly in male dominated industries it really provides a day for reflection in looking at the challenges, attitudes, and hurdles that many of us have had to overcome in almost every workplace to just to be able to do your job. There can be some frustration in that reflection but it also gives us an opportunity to feel proud of where we are professionally and the additional growth its provided in making us great HR professionals.
Y: To me, IWD is a day to recognise how far women have come in terms of equality, rights and opportunities but also how far we have to go. Personally, it makes me feel very lucky that I live in Australia where we have so much opportunity and freedom compared to many other places in the world. Professionally, it means celebrating those who have broken through the glass ceiling and continuing to look for ways to achieve gender equality.
K: International Women's Day holds a personal and professional significance for me. Personally, it is a day of celebration, reflection and recognition of the amazing achievements of women throughout history. Professionally, International Women's Day is an opportunity to promote the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Working in an all-female business I feel empowered in my career and use that to make better decisions every day.
N: Professionally, it means acknowledging strong women who have worked hard to get where they are. I also feel strongly about woman being offered leadership opportunities, and closing the gender pay gap. I love working with women in CEO and executive positions, and seeing how passionate they are. Personally as a mother of two girls, I am trying to raise strong, confident girls who have resilience, but are also kind and caring humans. I love people, and I am someone who will always be there for family, friends, colleagues in their times of need. I also strongly believe in random acts of kindness which I do on a regular basis.
Who are the women that inspire you the most, both within and outside the workplace, and why?
T: Women who are committed and driven to aspiring for change, no matter the cost. Women from minority backgrounds who have had to work harder than some of their peers to overcome societal constraints to rise above and achieve their professional and personal goals such as indigenous women and those from low socio economic backgrounds as well as mothers who are juggling raising a family as well as their professional goals – as women we really are capable of so much! It makes you proud to be a woman 😊
Y: Professionally – my director Kat. She has always been someone who stands up for what she believes in no matter how challenging the situation. Her passion and tenacity have always been something I’ve admired. Personally, my Mum who passed away many years ago. She was the bravest person I know. She never gave up and always looked for opportunities to create positive change.
K: Several women inspire me greatly, both within and outside the workplace, for their exceptional achievements, resilience, and contributions. Sheryl Sandberg has been a trailblazer in the tech industry. Her advocacy for gender equality in the workplace, explained in her book "Lean In," along with how she describes her leadership approach has left a lasting impression on me. Outside of my workplace one of my closest friends, Kim Smith founded Standing Strong – a program designed for young people (years 8 -18) to boost their mental and physical health though workshops, self-leadership activities and fun! The work Kim is doing in this space is honestly groundbreaking, as it’s one of a kind. I’m proud to see the results she’s achieving and even more so to call her my friend.
N: I wouldn't say any particular person in the workplace, but anyone who has worked hard to get where they are and have had bumps along the way, but never gave up. I absolutely love stories like this, and it keeps me motivated. Out of the workplace it would be my Mum. She literally inspires me to be a better Mother - she has always dropped everything for us whenever we need, and has helped me with my girls as I have a FIFO husband.
What changes would you like to see in the next few years regarding gender equality in the workplace?
T: I feel there is still a real disconnect financially between women and men, especially for mothers who take time out of the workforce. The financial hit of having to reduce from full-time to part-time work for sometimes years, as well as having time out of the workforce for child rearing is substantial. I would really like to see more financial initiatives, such as super being paid when on paid or unpaid maternity leave by the government or employer. I also see a lot of organisations moving away from working from home and flexible work initiatives with a focus on getting people back to the office which is really disappointing for mothers. I’d really like to see all organisations having a focus on flexibility to allow more mothers to be able to return to work and be able to work more hours than they would if required to be in an office.
Y: Ensure that gender neutral language and recruitment practices are used; bearing in mind the difference in approach and hesitations women often have regarding job applications, salary negotiations etc. The focus must always be the best person for the role. In addition, the inclusion of gender equality as a strategic priority for organisations with meaningful actions and initiatives.
K: In the next few years, I hope to witness significant strides towards achieving gender equality in the workplace.
Equal representation in leadership, particularly at an executive level. A more balanced representation of women in leadership roles across industries and sectors.
Commitment to flexible work arrangements: Since Covid I’ve witnessed a backwards step in this space and a return to being attached to an office or desk. I’d like to see more organisations embracing a results focused approach with more flexibility. Remove the Monday to Friday 9 to 5 expectation where possible. This can accommodate diverse needs and responsibilities, allowing everyone to balance professional and personal commitments effectively.
Equal pay and leveraging collaborative opportunities: I’d like to see more collaboration between industries, governments, and advocacy groups to share best practices and create a collective commitment to gender equality and removing the gender pay gap. This can make a huge difference in creating a more widespread cultural shift towards gender equity.
N: I would LOVE to see more women in leadership roles, in a part time capacity. Too many times do we hear a comment that a women returning from maternity leave won't be able to fill the shoes of a Manager role because of their caring responsibilities. I would love to see these types of assumptions vanish, and women given opportunities, as I know I have been on the receiving end of this, even though Team Management is my dream and passion.
As we celebrate IWD, what message would you like to share with young women starting their careers in your industry?
T: Keep striving, keep learning and prioritise self-care. HR can be a very demanding profession at times, so it is important to make sure you have balance. There will be good days where you are able to make a significant impact on an organisation or people or person, and there will be some really hard days. Don’t give up! Seek out mentors and other women in the profession for guidance to give you tools to overcome some of the hurdles you may face 😊
Y: Know your strengths and use them to establish strong working relationships. Be curious and ask questions. One guarantee about HR is that it’s ever evolving!
K: Your journey holds immense potential for impact, innovation, and positive change – I’m excited for you! I encourage you to reframe failure for opportunity, learn from your life lessons - you’ll grow from every experience, and challenge the status-quo. You are your best advocate. Get comfortable with asking questions and making the most of what comes your way. Opportunity is always there, you just have to find it.
N: At times it can be hard, and there is so much to learn, but if you keep going you will open up your world to a huge range of opportunities. You will encounter so many amazing people on your path, and the learning never ends. You've got this!!
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