International Women's Day serves as an annual reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the celebration of women's achievements worldwide. As we mark this important occasion, we reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done in empowering women and advancing their rights. In France, International Women's Day is commemorated as "Journée internationale des droits des femmes," which means International Women's Rights Day - highlighting the global nature of the movement towards gender equality.
Women's Empowerment, Resilience, and Equality
At its core, International Women's Day embodies the principles of empowerment, resilience, and equality. It represents a collective effort to empower women by providing them with the resources, opportunities, and support needed to reach their full potential. It celebrates the resilience of women in the face of adversity and acknowledges the ongoing struggle for gender equality in all aspects of life.
Women in Leadership and Executive Coaching
One of the key goals of the International Women's Day movement is to promote women's leadership and participation in decision-making roles. In both Australia and France and across the globe, initiatives such as women in leadership programs and executive coaching are helping to break down barriers and pave the way for female leaders.
These programs provide women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in leadership positions and overcome the systemic barriers they may encounter in traditionally male-dominated environments. By offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and tailored coaching, these initiatives empower women to break through barriers and thrive in their careers.
International Shift for Women’s Rights and Gender Equity
As New Reflections engages with organisations and trainees globally and frequently conducts cross-cultural training, gender differences receive significant attention at all levels. If you are as passionate about Cross-Cultural Intelligence as we are, you may be familiar with Hofstede’s Culture Dimensions* which offer a framework for comparing core values across countries.
We couldn’t help but notice a recent adjustment to this tool…
One of those values was labelled “Masculinity” and measured the level of Masculinity vs. Femininity in a country. Among other criteria, it observed how much women were represented in high-responsibility roles in both politics and companies.
The wording for this particular value used to irritate some of our training participants and it is interesting to see that they were not alone, as it recently changed to “Motivation towards Achievement and Success”.
Here is the explanation you can find on their website for changing this value “The terms Masculinity and Femininity caused discomfort among some of our customers and website visitors for treating gender as a binary concept. While it was certainly never Hofstede’s intention to offend people, we acknowledged that the name was not timely anymore, and hence we changed it to Motivation towards Achievement and Success. The changed name does not mean a reinterpretation of the dimension, and also the country scores have remained the same.
One step at a time, one win after another, we want to see more and more female leaders and more and more women believing in their strong power and leadership.
New Reflections Empowers Women With Leadership Development:
New Reflections, your Australian soft skills training centre, is a shining example of an organisation dedicated to empowering women in leadership. Through its women in leadership programs and executive coaching services, New Reflections equips women with the tools and strategies they need to succeed in leadership roles.
New Reflections offers tailored coaching and mentorship to help women develop their leadership skills, enhance their confidence, and navigate the complexities of the corporate world. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, New Reflections empowers women to unlock their full potential and achieve their career goals.
What sets New Reflections apart is its commitment to walk the talk - it's owned and operated by a majority of female leaders who understand the unique challenges women face in the workplace.
From Equity will come more Equality
One step at a time, one win after another, we want to see more and more female leaders and more and more women believing in their strong power and leadership.
Equity for women leads to greater equality. It ensures fairness in opportunities, resources, and treatment. Creating equitable conditions breaks down barriers for women to succeed. It addresses the root causes of gender inequality and promotes a level playing field. By prioritising equity, we empower women to thrive and contribute to a more balanced society.
Reference:
Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture.
Celebrate International Women's Day with 3 of Our Specialised Courses:
Click on a course below to learn more and take the next step in enhancing your people skills:
As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. From women in leadership programs to executive coaching initiatives, we have the power to create positive change and build a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Together, let us continue to champion the rights and aspirations of women everywhere, today and every day.