IWD 2022: #BreakingTheBias. Why do we choose to celebrate IWD every year? The idea of International Women’s Day is to celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of society.
Why do we choose to celebrate IWD every year?
The idea of International Women’s Day is to celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of society. Despite huge strides in gender equality over the last few decades, there are still significant inequalities to address, but there are also visible wins we can recognise.
This year’s IWD theme is urging us to #BreakTheBias, focusing on the below missions in particular:
We are trying to build a world free of stereotypes and discrimination. An environment that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all.
Meet Anita: A Techie.
A hard-working woman in Tech
Meet Anne: A Customer support Manager.
Relations and customer fulfilment is her thing
Meet Schola, a graphic designer.
A creator and creative
Meet Mercy, Chief Finance officer
Hers is a game of numbers.
All the ladies above have a story tagged to them, an experience to share. After a conversation with each, some amazing facts came to light!
We engaged them in a couple of questions,
Qn. 1: Why do you do what you do?
Anita: Once I finished High school, IT seemed like the only course on my path. Enrolled and I have never looked back, aside from that, I love solving problems
Anne: 100% Passion, it is my joy making someone happy. What I am currently doing is not what I studied for, nature placed me in this
Schola: Passion from day one!
Mercy: When I chose Finance back in 2003, it was unheard of. Being good in maths and a people person, this was the best fit!
Qn. 2: As a woman, was it hard getting a job?
Anita: It is not hard getting a job as a woman in tech. Especially those years, it was quite a unique career, few knew or were interested with it, unlike today.
Anne: Getting a job was not hard at all. If you have the required skill set, you will be good to go.
Schola: We were 3 ladies and 30 men in our design class. Getting a job was quite simple.
Mercy: I left school on a Friday; I had a job on Monday
Qn. 3: Biggest cheerleader and motivator?
Schola: My dad always cheered me on. He fuelled my passion till the end.
Mercy: My father played a key role in my career.
Qn. 4: Would you be doing any other job, keeping all factors constant?
Anita: I would not do anything else
Anne: I would not be doing anything else
Schola: Growing in the career, I would not mind trying out another field
Mercy: I am a creative by nature, fashion design sounds interesting
Qn. 5: Work-life balance, how do you do it?
Anita: Balance is perception
Anne: Before my son, all I did was work. Now I must ensure that I create time for him: Planning my work in such a way that its quite mobile and still efficient
Schola: The conditions and work environment offered to me have made it amazing. I can take my son to school every morning, an opportunity to bond, that I am ever grateful for.
Mercy: I started my family early, by the time my schedule was busy and demanding, I was fully able to immerse myself in my work.
A daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, an employee, a care giver, a team player: Those are the titles a woman is awarded for just being a woman. Tough, right? But, in all elegance, they somehow make it look like any other 24 hours that everybody else has.
A general observation from all the amazing ladies working at Pesapal, is that working in an environment that is free of bias is not indeed a future truth, it is already happening. It’s time to zero in on and eliminate impediments to gender equality: hidden bias processes and create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
