#1 International Women's Day 2024 -Why #InspireInclusion does not go far enough.

#1 of 3: Why #InspireInclusion is not enough.

International Women’s Day (IWD) every year has me eye-rolling and cheering in equal measure. Whilst I see this day as an important opportunity to celebrate women and to educate those who don’t understand why we need it; I also see it as a day of exasperation.

But this year, the theme #InspireInclusion has me face-palming with frustration. And I challenge my colleagues in #Dorset to DO BETTER than this.

Every year, I wonder, really, whether most IWD events that take place, ACTUALLY make any difference to women. And this year I have less hope than usual. Because the chosen theme just, to me, sends completely the wrong message.

‘Inclusion’ suggests that women should be ‘allowed’ to participate, to take part, to join in or to have a turn.

And, frankly, I thought we were passed those out-dated and unhelpful concepts.

Women are EXTRAORDINARY. They are powerful, problem solving, multi-tasking, inspirational, capable, tenacious, unfathomably adaptable and creative human beings. Only within the acceptance of the concept of a ‘patriarchy’ with jurisdiction over women, could anyone suggest the notion of some'thing' deciding whether or not to ‘include’ women.

And I, for one, don’t want to be included in that set-up – I want something new, something explosive, something real and hard and exciting, something transformative and sensational. Something where women step up from a long-established power imbalance and take up their rightful places (wherever they are), alongside, shoulder to shoulder with men where they have ALWAYS rightfully belonged. Something where our skills, talents, intuition, flexibility, determination and extraordinary insight are recognised and valued and where women are no longer seen as ‘less than’.

Now don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the notion of ‘equity’ and how not all women are as able (situationally) as others to rebel against the concept of HAVING to be included, or in as privileged a position as me to be able to rant about it.

And that, to me, is why we DO need days like IWD -because in many places, women ‘being included’ is the very bottom of the ladder in terms of tackling inequality and considering equitable solutions. But it is ALSO why we must take VERY SERIOUSLY the responsibility we have in making the best use of the campaign. And why, those of us who CAN, must.

I suspect that what most women really NEED organisations to do, may differ hugely from what ACTUALLY happens. And the women I know simply don’t have time for tokenism and box ticking.

What we really need is change. No, that’s not correct – what we REALLY need is for EVERYONE to understand WHY change needs to happen and then to come together around us, to do something collaboratively about it. Brilliant as we are, women CANNOT create the change they need on their own. And nor should we try.

And so, in my view, unless our IWD 2024 events actually contribute to that change, what (who) are they for and who, really is the audience? Most importantly, are they a good use of the time of very busy women?

Is it too hard?

It seems to me that the reasons why IWD events are not always about striving for the real change that women ACTUALLY need, is because change is hard and painful. Especially when not everyone wants change, not everyone understands why change is necessary, or when many people benefit from NOT changing.

And that is why, IMHO, if we really want IWD, and associated events, to have a proper impact, and not just be a source of irritation, those of us who organise them, take part in them or promote them, need to be prepared to tackle the hard and the painful. And if we are not, then, frankly, most women would rather we didn’t bother.

Allyship

Being prepared to tackle hard and painful in the interest of change (especially if you don’t really understand it or it doesn’t necessarily affect your own life) is my understanding of ALLYSHIP.

Allyship is the brilliant word that embraces the concept of ‘not all women’ and ‘not all men’ and harnesses the power of those who ‘can’ to empower those who ‘cannot’. In the interest of everyone.

The truth is that inequality for women is EVERYBODY’s business. Because everyone suffers when women and girls don’t have the same opportunities of freedoms, wealth, choices and representation as men and boys. Families are less resilient, communities less coherent, systems less efficient and countries, companies and commerce are ALL less successful. Women cannot solve this problem alone, and neither should they have to.

And so, for me, change cannot happen without Allyship – and so, unless our IWD 2024 events show ALLYSHIP, then, again, what’s the point?

Summary

IWD is an important day and an opportunity to use a platform to communicate important messages about tackling inequality. So, let’s not waste it.

#InspireInclusion, whilst being necessary at the most basic level of tackling inequality, on the whole, perpetuates the notion that there is ‘something’ better than women that has some authority to ‘include’ or ‘not include’. And to me, this is harmful not helpful.

Women need change. And a critical part of that change is Allyship.

#Dorset societies need IWD events that have, as their primary aim, #ActivatingAllyship as a vehicle for real change. We can do better. The subsequent blogs in this series tell you how.

Marianne Storey

www.storeyland.co.uk I @StoreylandCoaching

@DorsetWomenCICChair I @DorsetWomen I dorsetwomen.org.uk