International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and is celebrated on March 8th every year. This year’s campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion, encouraging everyone to understand and value women’s inclusion, to forge a better world. Providing women with a sense of belonging, relevance, empowerment, and inclusion. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while also raising awareness about gender equality. This year we reached out to a number of females across the business to shine a light on them, their achievements, and their thoughts.

What does this year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’ mean to you?

Cath Downs, Programme Management

As a self-proclaimed ‘weirdo,’ and a woman with many tattoos, piercings, and multi-coloured hair, I’ve experienced some levels of discrimination in the past, but I’ve always felt included at Microlise. The main reason for applying for a job here was the relaxed dress code, and the fact that it was my skills they were after, not what I looked like; I had red hair, an undercut, tattoos and a nose ring. During my interview I spent half the time chatting about music with my interviewer! It was then that I knew that this was the place for me. Previously, I had spent many an interview knowing just from the looks on their faces as I entered the room, that I had not got the job before they’d even asked any questions.

I know that the discrimination I faced as a young adult is nothing compared to the discrimination that some people have to face, but I have never felt any discrimination and always felt included at Microlise. Inclusion to me is being part of a group without any prejudice to race, gender, disability, religious, medical, or other need. Microlise has always embraced inclusivity as far as I am concerned.

Charlotte Porter, Product Management

To me it’s when we all start noticing diversity and inclusion in everyday life. When we are not directly impacted by sexism, ableism, racism, and other examples of discrimination, then we are much less likely to see it. For example, at a recent externally hosted industry event in a meeting of over 30 people, I was the only woman. All participants were of the same ethnicity and majority of a similar age range. As a result, our ‘industry voice’ may have been biased and having more diversity and representation would likely have been of great value. I sat there thinking about it and wondered, has anyone else noticed this? I mentioned this to my career mentor who suggested that the groups could ask for the next invite to reach a wider and more representative audience. This would be a positive example of active inclusion. We all need to recognise and engage with inclusion, to challenge it and celebrate positive examples.

Ellen Simms, Finance

I always struggle with questions like this and worry that I am not giving the ‘correct’ answer, so I have read this question a few times now and have played the words ‘inspire inclusion’ in my head a few times. I decided I would try and break the words down and see what they mean separately; inspire means to fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative and then inclusion means that a person or thing is included within a whole.

I think these are two words are very present in Microlise and the wider world, separately they are profound but put together they powerful and mean different things to different people. What these words mean to me is be yourself because existence is inspiring, just exist and be included and be present in the now.

 

Jackie Mitchell, HR

As a senior female leader, it has always been important for me that my colleagues recognise my thoughts, ideas and opinions. I feel included at Microlise because I have been encouraged to develop my plans and given opportunities to bring them to life. I have experienced enormous positive change since starting my first job at an Engineering Company where there were zero female senior leaders or managers despite the company employing 4000 people. Seeing the power of including diverse people in successful organisations I hope will inspire more and more people from every walk of life to work towards their dreams and make the world a more balanced and better place.

Val Love, Software Engineering

Celebrating diversity and empowerment in all walks of life is a must. It is the only way we can continue to move forwards. To achieve gender equality, we need to continue to breakdown the stereotypical barriers, encourage inclusive environments where every decision should be based on ability, qualification, role suitability and experience – and not on gender.

The increase in numbers, over the years, of women graduating in core STEM subjects is exciting, but still not nearly enough.  I hope I get to hang around long enough to see more and more women coming through the ranks, in Engineering, here at Microlise.

 

Sam Watson, Software Engineering

Inspire inclusion to me is making people feel valued irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation, or any other personal quality/choice we make that divides our society in the modern world, empowering people to be the best they can be.

As a successful single woman, anything is possible, just put your heart and soul into it. The road is rough… if you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and carry on. Don’t ever be afraid to reach out for help and support.