International Women’s Day 2024: How purpose inspires inclusion

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, Inspiring Inclusion, gets right to the heart of what it means to be a fair, equitable and thriving society.

Inclusion matters because it recognises the inherent value and potential of every individual. It creates an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported and where everyone can flourish, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

With a new report from the World Bank showing that no country in the world affords women the same opportunities as men in the workforce, it is clear that much work remains to be done to close the global gender gap. In this country we have seen significant progress but that should not allow us to become complacent. It’s up to each one of us to reflect on how we can contribute to inspiring inclusion in our own workplaces and communities and how we can confront the barriers that continue to get in the way of gender parity.

During my time as Minister for Women and Equalities, I implemented our Gender Pay Gap legislation with cross-party support. It was more than just a policy initiative - it was a call for transparency, accountability and, ultimately, change. It was about shedding light on disparities and encouraging employers not only to acknowledge the gaps but to take meaningful steps towards bridging them. The legislation was a testament to our country’s commitment to gender equality, but it was also a clear acknowledgment that our work was far from over.

The Purpose Coalition is continuing that work, with leading employers in businesses, universities and healthcare organisations focusing on breaking down barriers to opportunity. Again, they are acknowledging the gaps but also sharing best practice and developing solutions to make life better for their customers, colleagues and communities. That can be the offer of flexible working so that women can work more easily their alongside family and caring responsibilities, management programmes that encourage them to progress within the organisation to the highest levels, mentoring and focus groups that facilitate conversation, advice and confidence. They map their work against a framework of 14 Purpose Goals which focus on the key barriers that prevent people from getting on, including Goal 14 which aims to achieve equality through diversity and inclusion. These purpose-led organisations recognise that fostering an inclusive environment is not just the right thing to do, it’s also crucial for driving innovation, understanding diverse customer bases and creating a workplace where everyone is able to contribute their best.

Inspiring inclusion in our communities is equally important. In education, for example, it is vital that we encourage women and girls to take up subjects that were traditionally male-dominated. Many of our business and higher education Coalition partners are doing great outreach work upstream in schools to inspire students to consider STEM subjects, to study them at university, to start businesses and to recognise that no career – whether train driver or engineer - is closed to them.

Our Coalition partners in health and social care are focused on reducing the health inequalities in areas such as neonatal care and the treatment of serious disease where disadvantaged women’s voices in particular are not always heard clearly and where they often experience worse outcomes as a result.

Genuine diversity and inclusion in the workplace lead to empowerment. It’s not just about having women on the team but about giving them the tools, opportunities and platforms to succeed and lead. It means breaking down the systemic barriers that have historically marginalised women to ensure that their voices are heard, their contributions valued and their rights protected. Diversity enriches us by bringing together a multitude of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that are essential for innovation, empathy, and societal progress. More diverse companies avoid groupthink, make better decisions, are more effective at problem solving and are more profitable as a result. In short, it drives better outcomes for us all. 

We should all be inspired by the theme of this year's International Women's Day to strive for a world where every woman is empowered and where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. It should be a right afforded to all women, not just a privilege for some. Our collective efforts in fostering an inclusive society will pave the way for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

We should never assume that progress towards gender equality is inevitable. Each generation can move things forward, but it requires a renewed commitment, courage, and collaboration from all of us. That's why International Women’s Day matters – it's a chance for that renewed commitment. Standing together, we can continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can achieve their fullest potential.