International Women’s Day, 2024: Inspire Inclusion.

Written by: Aanuoluwa Sanya

There’s a popular quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg that says “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception” and we agree with her, a woman should be given an opportunity to occupy positions of authority in every field from top to bottom.

Introduction:

Traditionally, women are often expected to take a subordinate role in positions of leadership, while men dominate the forefront, a trend that permeates across various sectors. There’s an unconscious assumption that a person in a leadership position is a man before meeting them.

Globally, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th and it underscores the achievements of women and advocate for gender equality and equity. The theme of this year’s IWD is, “Inspire Inclusion,” and it particularly highlights the significance of creating diverse and supportive environments for women to thrive.

To inspire Inclusion is to provide and create equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups, but in this case, women.

Statistics:

Each year, March 8th serves as an important reminder of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and points out the work yet to be done. Despite an admirable progress made in achieving gender equality and women inclusion, statistics still show that women still face various challenges globally.

According to the World Economic Forum, only 22% of AI professionals worldwide are female. Additionally, women hold only 25% of senior leadership roles globally, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions.

Additionally, women are disproportionately affected by poverty, with 47% of employed women in vulnerable employment compared to 31% of men. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, with 1 in 3 women globally experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

In the realm of education, girls are still less likely to access quality education than boys in many parts of the world. Approximately 131 million girls are out of school globally, denying them the opportunity to reach their full potential. Women also face barriers in the workforce, earning on average 20% less than men for the same work, contributing to the gender pay gap.

These statistics sheds light on the ongoing struggle and highlights the pressing necessity to combat gender disparity and strive for a society that uplifts women and girls. Through the advancement of equitable access to leadership positions, education, and economic prospects, we can establish a world where gender equality and inclusion is a universal reality.

Our Quota as an Organization

As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, now is the opportune moment to consider how you can contribute to creating a society that embraces and inspires Inclusion. At Tech4Dev, we are working towards promoting inclusion for women in Africa through the Women Techsters Initiative. This program aims to empower women in technology and bridge the apparent gender gap in the technology ecosystem. The Women Techsters Initiative is currently open to women in 22 African countries, and the initiative provides training, mentorship, and opportunities for women to excel in the tech industry. By offering skills development and networking opportunities, Tech4Dev is paving the way for more women to succeed in technology and inspiring inclusion in the digital space.

In honor of International Women’s Day celebration and the theme of “Inspire Inclusion,” we at Tech4Dev reiterate our dedication to promoting gender equality and acknowledging women’s accomplishments globally.

Conclusion

By supporting and partnering with initiatives like the Women Techsters Initiative and advocating for equal opportunities for all women, we can foster inclusion and create a more diverse world where every individual has the chance to thrive equally.

Let us inspire inclusion today and every day.

Happy International Women’s Day, 2024!!!