Why International Women's Day matters for Hestia

Why International Women's Day matters for Hestia

Written by Gayle Lowery-Jones, Director of Operations at Hestia

An equal world is an enabled world.

International Women’s Day is the 8th March every year. The first International Women's Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people. Today, International Women's Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.

International Women's Day is not country, group or organisation specific. It is a movement to support equality for women. As an organisation supporting thousands of women each year, and with almost three quarters of our staff being women, equality is important to Hestia.

Gayle Lowrey-Jones, Director at Hestia

We want you to get involved in International Women's Day 2020. This year the theme is #EachForEqual, and is about 'Collective Individualism.'

To understand this, we have to think about the things we are involved in. We have to view ourselves as ‘parts of a whole’ in a whole range of different ways – with our families, with friends, with our sports teams (as a player or spectator!), our groups, our activities and as a Hestia employee with our services and within the wider organisation.

Our individual actions, conversations, values, behaviours and mindsets have an impact on all of these. We have to understand the impact that we have and that collectively, we can make change happen. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.

We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements.

This is not a message aimed at women. This is a message for everyone. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world. 

Abigail Ampofo, Director at Hestia

We can all choose to be #EachforEqual.

Women's equality can't wait. It's going to take everyone to think and be inclusive - all the time, everywhere.

For International Women's Day 2020 and beyond, how will you support #EachforEqual?

There are a number of missions in this years’ International Women's Day campaign – some of them highly relevant to the work of Hestia.

  1. Mission: To assist women to be in a position of power for making informed decisions about their health

There is a gender imbalance in certain health issues such as coronary heart disease. Are you supporting your female service users to get the health related support they need? This help them understand preventative checks and to be in a better position to make informed decisions about their health.

  1. Mission: To celebrate digital advancement and champion the women forging innovation through technology

Hestia developed the Bright Sky app as a digital response to domestic abuse. The free app provides support and information to anyone affected by domestic abuse and those worried about a loved one. Eve Critchely, below, is leading Hestia’s digital innovation. 

  1. Mission: To champion women of all backgrounds who innovate, lead, and uplift others towards a more equal and inclusive workplace

The senior sponsors for Hestia’s Diversity and Inclusion Groups are all female Directors. Paula, Abigail and Gayle all strive for equality and inclusion across their specific Networks whilst understanding the intersectionality of other key protected characteristics including gender.

Eve Critchley, Digital Innovations Lead at Hestia

This International Women's Day, and every day, let's all strive to do our bit to be #EachforEqual.

Learn more about the support Hestia offers to women across London and the South East, or take a look at our career opportunities.

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