For well over a century, International Women’s Day has raised awareness for women’s equality, celebrated women’s achievements, and continues to call for positive change advancing women. This year, International Women’s Day calls for equity, in comparison to equality. Two words that sound so much alike and often used interchangeably, but yet the difference is significant.
Image Credit: Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire.
Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources and opportunities.
Equity recognises that each person has different needs and allocates the exact resource and opportunity they need to reach an equal outcome. Or in other words, equity gives someone what they need to be successful, instead of giving everyone the same thing.
Embracing equity in the workplace is a commitment to create a culture of diversity and inclusiveness, celebrate women’s achievements and inspiring others to reach their full potential.
Celebrating women’s achievements
One of the most common biases in workplaces is that women cannot fully commit to both a career and children. One of Rise’s strengths is its commitment of women in leadership position.
Suzanna Robertson, Director of Service Delivery Aged Care is a mother of three school aged children. She knows that balancing work and family life can be challenging, but is possible at Rise:
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Rise supports me by providing flexible working arrangements and working hours and recognising the value of women for executive-level positions.
Through my leadership role at Rise and in the broader community, I aim to foster a community where my two daughters will assume they will have the same opportunities as my son. I don’t want them to be “given a seat at the table” – I want them to have a table that men want to sit at. I want my son to grow up expecting women to be in positions of influence in our society."
Get to know more of the inspiring women at Rise:
Our workforce at Rise (March 2023):
Want to know more about the International Women’s Day?