Celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness and creating a gender-equal society that is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, such is the power of International Women’s Day.

The global occasion recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Business News Wales, we celebrate also that women represent the majority of our staff, Here’s what it means to our team on a more personal level.

Office Manager Terianne O’Sullivan, ensures key aspects of our business run efficiently on a day-to day basis. Reflecting on her personal journey and the importance of this year’s theme, Embracing Equity she said,

“For me International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate and highlight the immense value that women bring, not only to the workplace, but to society. I have been extremely lucky to have been surrounded by strong, determined females for the majority of my personal and working life.   One of the things that has struck me most whilst watching these women achieve their career and life goals has been the number of hurdles they had to navigate and overcome on their journeys.

It really is important to look at this year’s theme and the concept of equality, giving everyone the same resources and opportunities that they need to reach an equal outcome. It’s simply not enough for businesses to say they have equal opportunities for all without the internal infrastructure and policies to back this up. When we all truly embrace equity, that is when the barriers will disappear for all and equality will become a reality: Because in truth, we’re not all the same, our circumstances, responsibilities, needs and lives are all different and therefore, what we need in order to grasp and fully realise opportunities is different.”

CEO of Business News Wales, Heather Anstey-Myers, who oversees all operations to ensure we deliver the news that matters to you, our audience, recalls how her own mother faced inequality and despite progression over the years, explains why more conversations are still needed.

“When my mum qualified with a degree in chemistry from Liverpool University in 1963, she went into teaching, because it was the only job where she could get paid the same as a man. Since then, legislation has created a much fairer playing field. However, 60 years on, there is still not full equality and equity for women. There are barriers (both real and perceived) that hold women back.

International Women's Day is hugely important to me because it creates a space for reflection, conversation and insights. Look at the content we have generated today. When I consider how far we have come in my 30-year career, it feels like we have greater equality than I have ever known. We have come such a long way, but there is still a long way to go. International Women's Day gives us the impetus and space to talk about the issues, the opportunities, the learning and where there is still not parity. This is where we can make real change happen.”

Operations and Team Support Executive Natalie James, who plays an imperative role in nurturing strong relationships with external suppliers and clients, emphasises the wider importance of International Women’s Day and how nobody in this world should be made to feel different.

“A day like International Women’s Day not only celebrates the inspirational women of today’s society making waves in their chosen paths of life, whether that be a career path or personal path, but those women who choose to do it in their own way. The unapologetic women in today’s modern world that stand proud of the choices they make. International Women’s Day is also a day for those women who may not have found their path yet but can find solace in knowing that they aren’t alone.

I have been fortunate from a young age to have been surrounded by influential women; women within and around my family, women in my education, women in my work life and women who I call my friendship circle. We can probably all think of that time where we may not have been included or discriminated against because of our gender, disability or something that made us ‘different’. Nobody deserves to feel like this.”

Head of Marketing and Production Rachel Jones, who is responsible for our web management, marketing and multimedia creation of the Business News Wales brand, discusses why she fully supports the 2023 theme of bracing equity.

“This year’s theme of embracing equity is so important in my eyes, because each of us, male or female, can actively support it and play a significant role within our workplace. Equality should apply every day, which is what we must collectively continue to strive towards. The impact that International Women’s Day must highlight is the value that women can bring to both businesses and public life which simply cannot be ignored. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of everyone’s DNA both in society and our working lives and I am delighted that this is at the forefront of everything we do here at Business News Wales.”

Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively, we can all #EmbraceEquity.