Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 by raising awareness of digital access issues faced by women around the world and taking a stand for equity in our digital age.
This year’s International Women’s Day embraces two important themes close to my heart, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” and “Embrace Equity.” The two go hand in hand; without equity, we can’t have equality, and as a woman, that’s not okay with me.
Seek out and support the new generation of activists courageously addressing the injustices faced by First Nations peoples in Canada.
Read about First Nations activists, Mary Two-Axe Earley, Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, and Sandra Lovelace, who challenged sex-based discrimination against First Nations women in the Indian Act.
Over the years I’ve provided pro bono workshops, coaching, writing and speaking to Women In Engineering, Women in Aviation and Women in Trades. I have a love and an aptitude for technology, but little did I know that our techno-driven world is leaving the least developed countries far behind, if not entirely excluded, especially felt by women.
In preparation for IWD, I researched and refamiliarized myself with our current pressing issues. I read powerful stories and found staggering stats I felt compelled to share with you too.
#PowerOn | #IWD2023 | #EmbraceEquity | #digitALL
Did you know that:
- Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.
- Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
- The UN estimates that women’s lack of access to the online world will cause a $1.5 trillion loss to the gross domestic product of low and middle-income countries by 2025 if action isn’t taken.
- A survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that 73 percent had suffered online violence in the course of their work.
- A global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries found that 44.2 percent demonstrate gender bias.
- Women make up only 22 percent of AI workers globally.
- Women-owned businesses generate $68,000 less revenue than men.
Here are some ways you can drive awareness on March 8th:
- Strike the #EmbraceEquity pose and post a photo to social media.
- Wear the colours purple and green. It is believed that these colours originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White was initially included; however, we are omitting its reference as it originally represented “purity,” which lands as racist for this writer.
- Sponsor, hire and spotlight women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
- Encourage women and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.
- Create tech that meets the specific needs of women and girls.
- Read and Research.
- Educate others with patience and kindness.
- Speak up and be bold.
- Take peaceful, powerful action.
- Remain open to allies.
When we work together, our collective activism drives change. By concentrating our efforts on March 8th we remind silent voices to seek diversity, inclusion and equity and call forward the complacent to challenge stereotypes and confront gender discrimination. Empower the people you surround yourself with to be mindful of language and energy that overtly and inadvertently stereotypes and suggests how women should and shouldn’t be. Seek out, celebrate and shop at women-owned and operated businesses and share your appreciation of women and girls in every area of your life.
Remain active and aware of the pressing issues we face by taking action and remembering that even a small act goes a long way; find a way to do your part even when it’s uncomfortable to do so.
Today and every day thereafter, I urge you to lock arms with me and to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, advocate for inclusion, and be a rock-solid stand for equity.
Let’s also fuel victories beyond our borders and be unstoppable and passionate until we all cross together.
References & Resources:
International Women’s Day 2023 Campaign Theme: #EmbraceEquity
Power On: How we can supercharge an equitable digital future | 24 February 2023 | UN Women
International Women’s Day 2023: History, Marches and Celebrations | BBC News
International Women’s Day | 8 March 2021 | Sarah Dougherty, PhD
