On Friday 8 March we’ll be celebrating International Women’s Day, a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging gender equality.
Each year IWD focusses on a theme and this year is all about inclusion.
Ahead of the day, we asked some of our female colleagues to share what IWD means to them and of course to Strike the #InspireInclusion pose, here’s what they had to say, make sure to read all the way to the bottom for Queen Anne and her ladies:
Paola Rizzardi, Senior Inspector in Marghera
“I am thankful for the opportunity of voicing my thoughts on this International Women’s Day and generally on the theme of inclusion. I believe these days of awareness and focus on a specific subject should be seen as a powerful tool to learn more and become more knowledgeable about the topic itself. And only then, eventually, celebrate it by sharing our enhanced view and sense of grasping it a little more. We are often “scared” about what we don’t know or what we are unsure about. Knowledge is power and will help us embrace the world around us, with its infinite diversities and opportunities.
A recent “new” word of the day is allyship: actively support the rights of a minority without being a member of it. Women are still a minority in many ways. Let’s learn more about them, about their rights, about what it means to be a woman. Especially if you are not one.
So, my wish is for us all to be more open to the diverse from us, to its yet unrevealed beauty and powerful core. Make it yours, share it and celebrate it!”
Tuuli Çoşkunseven, Senior Inspector in Marghera
“IWD for me is just one day that reminds how much work there’s to be done before women all over the world are respected and equal with men. We’re on the right path, but world is changing slowly.
As I’m working in industry predominantly male, I would be happy to see if women were more supportive to each other’s instead of competing of attention and success.
Like Serena Williams has said: “Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.”
Vera Lannek, VP, Strategic Sourcing – Corporate Shipbuilding, Technical and Logistics
“International Women’s Day embodies the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and celebrates women’s achievements globally. It emphasizes inclusivity, recognizing the diverse experiences of women and fostering partnerships with men to create a better world for all.
This day inspires collective action towards creating a society where every woman is valued and empowered to pursue her dreams, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.”
The lovely ladies of Southampton
We invited female colleagues in the Southampton office to come and strike a pose in support of International Women’s Day and they didn’t disappoint, in fact we got quite the turn out!
Queen Anne and her ladies
In Marghera, Captain Inger, Queen Anne’s Captain gathered all the women supporting in the build of the ship to celebrate together on the quayside.
Everyone was given a Mimosa flower which is a traditional gift in Italy on International Women’s Day.