Since 1911, we, as a world, have celebrated International Women’s Day. Today, #IWD2021, marks the 110th anniversary of a revolutionary movement that started in Denmark. It has been over a century and, needless to say, women have come a long way with their esteemed contribution historically and to the society in general, as well as their achievements in every field and industry.
At Ivy Law Group, we celebrate women every day. This is evident in our female-dominated workplace, which thrives on each other’s successes and achievements.
On this year’s IWD campaign theme #ChooseToChallenge, this is what some of the valued members of our staff had to say:
“My want, is that my adult son and every individual, get to live in a society that sees everyone shining, not just a select gender. Even so, I want to see less opposition, and more alignment with coming together and with shared interests and values (and not what makes us different), to break down this irrational gender divide.
I live by the saying, “we are different and yet the same”. Having said that for me, I think the basic step for men, and to start the ball rolling, is to recognise if it were not for women, none of us would be here. I believe that could invite hope, and that then women respond by listening and vice versa. #ChooseToChallenge.”
– Shane Neagle, Principal and Director
“In spite of the devastating impact of COVID-19, women across the globe have come out stronger than ever after being faced with unprecedented challenges. So, it is now more important than ever a time to celebrate our achievements, professionally and personally, whilst continuing to challenge the gender confidence gap, the glass ceiling in our professional and personal lives, and to advocate for our rights by backing ourselves and each other.
I challenge gender bias and inequality to ensure everyone (not just women) have equal opportunity and rights #ChooseToChallenge.”
– Geeti Chawla, Senior Lawyer
“Challenging what was in the past and what we will become is not only important for our own endeavours but for those that follow in our footsteps. #ChooseToChallenge.”
-Karissa Hannigan, Senior Lawyer
“Despite the benefits of living in a “sophisticated society” and all the advancements that are available to us in 2021, we continue to live in a society where the forceful grabbing of a young female’s head at a public gathering by a male, and the thrusting of her head into the male’s groin area while making lewd remarks, is considered horseplay. This is but one of the shocking stories that demonstrates what happens to women when they enter male dominated industries whether it be politics or the legal profession. It is time that these top-heavy male industries stop feeling that they will get away with this kind of behaviour.
As a woman, I choose to challenge gender bias and inequality in the workplace and society generally, and so that future generations never have to live or go to work in fear of what could happen to them. #ChooseToChallenge.”
-Pamela Bachour, Senior Lawyer
“Let us acknowledge and recognise how far we’ve come towards achieving gender equality, but also remind ourselves how far we have left to go. Change isn’t just effected by making headlines, by legal victories or through international agreements – we can make a difference in our daily lives just by the way we talk, think and act. Let us collectively resolve to eliminate inequality between women and men in society #ChooseToChallenge.”
-Angela Seeto, Lawyer
How do you #ChoosetoChallenge?