Making a choice is a courageous act. Why courageous you might ask? Well it is a process that, according to Columbia University business professor Sheena Iyengar, requires a couple of steps:
- Knowing what you want
- Understanding what options are available
- Making trade-offs between the available options
Making a choice implies that you are accountable and that you accept the consequences of that decision. Making choices demands respect, makes your intentions crystal clear, and makes it clear what other people can expect from you. Sometimes we choose not to choose and let other people make the choice for us. Or, if there is no immediate consequence, we leave the decision open and unanswered. Sometimes that can even feel like the best choice.
So why do we discuss the topic of choices? Because this year the IWD 2021 is about #ChoosetoChallenge, meaning:
‘A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can choose to challenge and call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping’. https://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme
It is a powerful call to step up and call out injustice, choose not to accept intolerance and be vocal about that. Are you ready the make that choice when you encounter bias, discrimination and/or stereotyping? Are you courageous enough and accept the consequences as well? #ChoosetoChallenge is a serious and much-needed invitation to all of us to work together towards balanced leadership in business and society.
We are six years into the global effort to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. Slow progress toward that vision can sometimes make success feel out of reach. Compounded with the impact of COVID on women we now need, more than ever, to get behind these goals. It is with the power of spreading the message on IWD 2021 that we can accelerate momentum. Words are powerful.
Each year the themes are so progressive and have included strong hashtags gaining global visibility such as #EachforEqual, #BalanceforBetter, #BeBoldforChange, #PledgeforParity.
We particularly liked 2019’s theme of “think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. We have both spoken at, attended, and supported numerous events every March around all of these themes. We always walk away inspired having gained the energy and enthusiasm to celebrate, understand and learn about how we can all contribute to creating gender equality in our world of business and society.
This year, PWN Global is inviting you on International Women’s Day to an uplifting event celebrating the inspirational women who continue to challenge the status quo.
This unique event brings together a selection of high-profile speakers who will share empowering and galvanizing messages, spotlighting achievements by women from around the globe. We will hear many ideas from these speakers including the challenges they face, their hopes for the future, and their advice to the next generation.
PWN has harnessed the power of their global network – 18 different PWN cities have joined together to bring you this event.
From challenge comes change. Choose to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotypes. Choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. #IWD2021
In the words of Kamala Harris “If we do not lift women and families, everyone will fall short.”
We encourage everyone throughout the month of March to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and address all forms of gender inequity.
Are you with us?
Carina Furlong & Sheila Gemin, Co-Presidents PWN Global
