Women's month 2021

• In March 2020, the UN reported that almost 90% of men / women are biased against women globally. [1]

• According to the Office of National Statistics, women are twice as likely to be a victim of domestic or sexual abuse compared to men, with conviction rates currently as low as 2%. [2]

• On average, women around the world are working twice as many hours as men doing unpaid work. [3]

• There still remains an imbalance in the number of women present in politics and business. [4]

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In supporting this day it does not mean you necessarily favour the female over the male; nor is it a way to tip the scales – it is purely a way of balancing them by showing love and appreciation in order to move towards a more equal world with equal opportunities.

The official theme of IWD 2021 is “Choose to Challenge” – to recognise the need to call our gender bias and inequality. This is needed more than ever as women around the world battle the social, economic and political repercussions of Covid-19. Read more about how Covid has impacted on women’s rights here.

To show our support this year, we created custom GIF stickers for three women charities that they can use in their social media communication. Personalised stickers are great for interacting with a brand in a different way. Please give them a follow on Instagram and consider donating towards their worthy causes!

Charities fighting for gender equality

Freedom 4 Girls

Freedom4Girls is passionate about challenging the inequalities around menstruation by tackling the cost of menstrual products, the lack of education around periods and menstrual health, and the shame and stigma associated with periods.

The charity envisions a world in which no girl or woman suffers from period poverty and menstrual inequality.

Instagram: @freedom4girls

Website: www.freedom4girls.co.uk

Solace

Solace Women’s Aid supports women and children who have suffered abuse and violence. They work with survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse.

Their vision: a world where women and children live their lives free from all forms of male Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG).

Instagram: @solacewomensaid

Website: www.solacewomensaid.org

Wish Charity

Wish Charity works with women with mental health needs in prison, hospital and the community. They provide independent advocacy, emotional support and practical guidance at all stages of a woman’s journey through the mental health and criminal justice systems, seeking to get women’s voices heard at a policy level.

Instagram: @wishcharity

Website: www.womenatwish.org.uk

We have recorded a podcast episode dedicated to IWD sharing some of our experiences in dealing with the unspoken pressures of maternity leave, postpartum depression and toxic work environments. All with the hope of empowering other women to step out of their comfort zones, speak their truth and put their mental health first. Click here to give it a listen on Lighthouse Podcast!

It might be International Women’s Day but let’s not forget to show appreciation for the other 364 days of the year.