Today is International Women’s Day.
Wake Smith Solicitors has a fantastic group of inspirational women and men role models working at the firm.
We asked some of them to comment on the day’s theme which is #EmbraceEquity.
Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA. And it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.
IWD 2023's campaign theme aims to get the world talking about why "equal opportunities are no longer enough."
Here’s what they had to say:
“To have gender equity, research and conversations need to be started with women to understand their own experiences and challenges faced, whether in education or the workplace, that have arisen as a direct result of their gender. By taking an empathetic approach to understanding the barriers and obstacles that women experience in accessing rights, opportunities and fair treatment in education, work etc, companies and institutions can look to adapt and work with women to tackle the issues preventing fair opportunities for all. Also I think it’s great to get men involved in the conversation!”
Eleanor Storey, Solicitor, Commercial Property
“Equity goes further than equality in recognising individual circumstances. We can level the playing field by embracing uniqueness, valuing different perspectives and working collaboratively to ensure that everyone has the support they need to succeed.”
Kelly Pashley-Handford, HR Director
“As a lawyer, it is my understanding that equity is synonymous with fairness, and what’s fair will in all cases depend on all the circumstances. There is no “one-cap-fits-all” solution to achieving equity. Rather, we should always try to consider what is fair, and then do whatever is needed to achieve fairness as an outcome.”
John Breeze, Director and Head of Will, Trust and Inheritance Disputes
“Women are often on the back foot when it comes to equity. We tend to flourish later in our careers after having children, but then must manage the demands of motherhood, work and the menopause. This no doubt leads to a higher rate of women leaving their jobs than men.
Women tend to implement more wellbeing initiatives in the workplace, but fail to be rewarded or recognised for doing so. Employers should aim to foster a culture of empathy and understanding, together with promoting a fair and equitable distribution of power and resources. Embracing equity is about taking action to address concepts of equality in our day to day lives. This includes not be afraid to speak up when we see things that make us feel uncomfortable so we can support individuals and groups to create more inclusive environments at work.”
Bonita Wolfenden, Director & Head of Residential Conveyancing Operations
“I think that the first step is the need for people to appreciate, and acknowledge, the need for equity, and the necessity for women to belong in a global culture that actively promotes and supports them in all aspects of their life, from education to the workplace to health.”
Michael Doherty, Director, Litigation
