How can we all #AccelerateAction?

According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity.

Attitudes and culture take time to evolve, so to celebrate International Women’s Day this year, Kreston Reeves hosted a breakfast round table, bringing women together to discuss how we can #AccelerateAction in our workplaces, striving to close the gap between where we are now and achieving true gender equality.

From apprentices to managing directors, working across a variety of industries, the group shared thoughts, experiences and some words of wisdom which they hope will be useful to others:

Enhance careers advice from an early age

With the growing popularity of apprenticeships as a career path, there is a wonderful opportunity for schools to expand and update their careers advice. Many attendees shared their enthusiasm for more comprehensive guidance for young people in education, exploring all the different routes into a particular career, including through apprenticeships and internships. This ensures students can make informed choices that align with their interests, whether that means pursuing university or other fulfilling paths.

Alumni who have returned to their schools over the past 20 years to share their career journeys have highlighted the importance of modernising careers advice. By encouraging girls and women to explore all available career options and the various routes to achieve them, schools can play a crucial role in opening up a world of opportunities for all students.

On apprentices, one attendee noted: “We hire an apprentice every year as they end up being so good. We love having a school leaver in the business as they bring a different perspective to the team.”

Be a mentor for women, throughout different stages of their career

Having a mentor at any stage in your career is important, but at different stages of a woman’s life, different mentors are needed. Employers can help women to find mentors, but women should also reach out to others, especially those within their team or business where they recognise they might need extra guidance. Some of the participants do mentor others but on the agreement that they also “mentor down” to help younger women, so that the chain continues to those embarking on their career or still at school.

One apprentice noted: “Just by coming here today and speaking to different people in different industries has given me a perspective that I wouldn’t have had. I sometimes feel like I hold back as I don’t want to overstep the mark with more senior colleagues, but today has been great, listening to real gems of insight as to how other women get on. It’s given me more confidence that I can speak out in the future and that I can also mentor people who are thinking of being an apprentice.”

Acknowledge the importance of men as mentors

In the early stages of a career, everyone agreed that both men and women are important mentors and champions for them especially in the workplace. Many men, whether that be fathers, brothers, husbands, friends or colleagues may not realise the positive impact they have had and continue to have on some women and girls, and this should be encouraged.

Embrace our strengths

Women bring a wealth of unique strengths and qualities that deserve to be celebrated and valued. Their natural empathy often leads to great success for teams and businesses, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

Women often create their own ‘barriers’ to success, “my accent”, “my background”, “my unconventional journey”. Everyone agreed, “don’t create a ‘glass ceiling’ where it doesn’t exist.” One attendee explained: “Despite working in a very male dominated area I’ve never noticed there being a glass ceiling as often being a woman was an advantage. Customers were curious about who I was and what I could offer, and it often opened doors that would have otherwise been closed.”

Be empowered to address bias

Recognising that unconscious bias exists, it’s important to address expectations that may arise simply because of gender. Attendees agreed that women in leadership roles should support one another and confidently address these issues head-on.

“If someone expects or assumes you will do something “because you are a woman it’s important to call out that bias. Women should be able focus on their own priorities rather than trying to resolve issues for others.”

Promote shared responsibilities

For women with children, the importance of a supportive network is paramount. This includes ensuring that partners can take shared parental leave without any stigma at work. If they choose to, both parents should be able to balance their roles as caregivers and professionals. This should be the standard practice.

“Women bring incredible dedication and strength to both their professional and personal lives. It’s important to recognise that success doesn’t require taking on all the work alone; responsibilities should be shared equally at home and in the workplace. By fostering a collaborative environment, everyone can contribute and thrive. Women should feel empowered to share the workload and not feel the need to work harder to prove their worth.”

Celebrate progress and inspire future generations

Life is about progression. Attendees emphasised the importance of reflecting on and educating others about the significant contributions of previous generations of women. By appreciating these achievements, young men and women can be inspired to accelerate action and positive change in the future.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s commit to making a tangible difference. We can all work together to #accelerateaction towards gender equality in our workplaces. Whether it’s mentoring, advocating for policy changes, or simply supporting your colleagues, together, we can close the gap and create a more inclusive and equitable future.

We are extremely grateful to all the attendees who gave up their time to come along to the roundtable and share their thoughts and experiences so openly.

We will be taking these learnings back with us into our businesses to find the best ways to #AccelerateAction for the generations of women to follow.