It’s International Women’s Day!
Today is a great opportunity to imagine a gender equal world. As the official website says:
“A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”
At Platypus, we want to take the opportunity to:
- talk about the barriers that women still face today
- celebrate the excellent women working at our agency
- celebrate some of the brilliant women working at our clients’ charities
- showcase the awesome projects they run that work with women
Women still face many barriers
We don’t just want to celebrate, pretending women don’t still face a huge number of barriers. Or to pretend that the patriarchy isn’t still very real.
Invisible Women is a brilliant book by Caroline Criado Perez. She talks about how the gender data gap means:
- most offices are five degrees too cold for women. The formula to set their temperature was developed in the 1960s. It was based on the metabolic resting rate of a 40-year-old, 70kg man – even though women’s metabolisms are slower.
- Women in Britain are 50% more likely to be misdiagnosed following a heart attack: heart failure trials generally use male participants.
- the average smartphone is too big for most women’s hands, doesn’t often fit in our pockets and often can’t be used one handed
That’s the tip of the iceberg of the challenges women still face. Read the excellent Invisible Women to find out more.
Celebrating the women on our team
We reflect the charity sector as having a mostly female team at Platypus Digital.
They are all absolutely brilliant – experts, activists, and all round great people.
Nikki Corney loves causes that reduce global poverty and fight climate change.
Charlotte Cox is a charity founder, huge Chelsea fan and brought cookies to her interview (true story)
Sarah Gate is a feminist activist, poet and writer. Here she is doorstopping Boris, asking why registered sex offenders can run for public office.
Tori Jaffer is a hugely passionate Aussie Rules Football fan and sun-seeker
Ruman Hasan is passionate about social justice, anti-racism, international development, travelling, reading and long brunches
Jana Quinlan is the proud owner of Peaches the cat,
Kris Tan loves new foods, nonfiction, and generously knitting socks for colleagues.
Bernadette Wilson loves baking with her daughter and walking on the beach (the second activity is normally done to burn off calories from the first)
This list doesn’t even nearly do them justice. They are so much more than the above. It’s amazing to work with them all.
Celebrating the women at our partner organisations
At Platypus, we have also worked with great women at partner organisations.
Martha Awajobi at JMB Consulting has helped us on our anti-racism journey.
Bethan Francis runs Stratcom UK and we have clients we work with together.
Ruth Richards is a leadership coach our team is working with.
Jasmine Nehme helps keep our website up and running.
We’re collaborating with Multitudes, who are led and informed by Black feminism.
There are many more. We are learning from the expertise of all of them, and are very happy about that.
Celebrating our client’s projects that work with women
The charities we work with are also part of International Women’s Day.
Women of Concern is a global community connecting you with change-making women.
Barnardo’s reflected on the role women have played during the pandemic, and the fact that over 65% of people accessing the Boloh Helpline are women.
Women are up to four times as likely to develop advanced trachoma than men. They are also nearly twice as likely to be blinded by this terrible disease. That’s why International Women’s Day is so important to Sightsavers.
#YesAllMen
The #YesAllMen collective was started by Simon Blake, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England. The idea was to get men together to learn more about the issues women face, and to create positive change.
They’ve had talks from Safe Lives CEO, Suzanne Jacob and Jess Phillips MP, Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence
Happy International Women’s Day to all!
