“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
– Maya Angelou
From all of us at Juliettes Interiors, we wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day! This Wednesday 8th March marks International Women’s Day 2023. It’s a day to appreciate and uplift the women in our lives, but we also must remember the hardships that have historically been linked with womanhood, and continue to be to this day.
#EmbraceEquity
If you aren’t aware already, International Women’s Day has a specific campaign theme each year. This year’s campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity. This theme encourages us to reflect on “why equal opportunities are no longer enough.” We know this may sound a little contradictory, but hear us out. The International Women’s Day website provides a useful definition of the terms equality and equity:
“Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.
Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.”
Unfortunately, not all people start off at the same starting line. For certain marginalised groups – such as women – there are often obstructions in the way. By embracing equity, workforces can ensure that all groups of people receive ample representation and opportunity for success by ensuring that the correct resources are offered to those that may be at a societal disadvantage.
A few statistics for you…
- According to a 2020 McKinsey report, women make up just 24% of the global leadership force.
- The World Bank states that women make up 40% of the workforce and earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.
- United Nations figures show that women hold only 22% of parliamentary seats worldwide.
These figures remain a current reality, serving as a reminder that although we have made decades of progress towards gender equality, we must continue to make active efforts to uplift the voices of women in workplaces and societal structures around the world.
What this day means to us
You may not know this, but alongside being a female-run business, Juliettes Interiors also currently has an all-female team. The hard work and determination of our strong team of women is what truly makes our business thrive, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Here are a few words from some of our team members on what International Women’s Day means to them.
“Women’s Day is celebrated to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. It emphasises the significant role of women in all areas of life. The day also serves as a call to action to advance gender equality. Let us remember, however, that International Women’s Day is not only about celebrating, but also about creating a better world for everyone, so let’s try to celebrate it every day.”
– Sophia
“International Women’s Day, a great day to reflect on the achievements made by courageous women over the last few decades. There has been notable improvement in levelling up of opportunities in the workplace, that must continue to be ongoing.”
– Julie
“A day to celebrate the women in our lives, where we are, and what we have achieved. Women that are absolutely, unbelievably amazing, and who deserve it all – we must never forget that each and every life begins with a woman. And our hope is that this world will soon learn to treat all women fairly.”
– Tish
And last but not least, a word from our Founder and Creative Director, Juliette:
“Our thriving business is proof of just how successful women in the workforce can be when given the necessary resources to facilitate our fullest potential. Juliettes Interiors has become a powerhouse in interior design and luxury furniture sourcing, and we’re showing no sign of slowing down, nor any intention of it. We are a team of strong, capable women that continue to strive towards success every day, and I could not be more proud.”
