International Women’s Day

On March 8, International Women’s Day, it was a packed house at in. Studio + Cafe with over 60 fabulous women who came together to celebrate and reflect on International Women’s Day and this year’s theme #BalanceforBetter.

Starting first thing with a tasty breakfast of fresh baked goods and an all-important coffee, the day touched on topics like gender equality and the need to give ‘recognition’ to ourselves and to other women as holding an equal place in the world.

Women Helping themselves  |  Women Helping each other

International Woman’s Day BalanceforBetter# theme inspires a range of thoughts, most obviously a need for work-life balance, which is so relevant and widely recognised for women juggling family and work. But the theme also raises the question of balance within the make-up of the work place, on company boards and in CEO positions. It triggers thoughts around the cultural representation of females and males and how they are shown in films, in the media, in ads and marketing. How far have we come? How balanced is our view? Are we still in the era where strong women in tough jobs are seen as ‘ball-breakers’? Or are we shifting the balance to show feminine strength. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinta Ardern has changed the game in highlighting that her empathy and emotion is not a weakness, but a strength.

Women are different to men and don’t need to lead or behave like men to be leaders. Women are proving that they are more effective financial company leaders and are booming in the small business sector. Companies that have women on their management and boards are showing better business results.

But there is still a long way to go. “Blind” appointments (where the gender of the applicant was concealed), were trialled late last year and led to 60% selection of female appointments to senior staff positions, replacing a previous balance of only 25% female appointees. This demonstrates that a significantly large number of appointments are gender bias when it comes to senior positions.

Despite this, women are marching towards a voice of leadership and authority that is embedded in a new culture of openness and success. Women are making a presence in the world including in the business world, and International Women’s Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements made and give pause to reflect on the needs of women around the world and then to construct the vision of the future.

A future where there is gender balance, socio-economic balance, cultural balance, environmental balance. We can strive for them all, they are not an either–or equation. BalanceforBetter# opens the door to us to make a better, more balanced world for all.

Throughout the entire day there was a generous feeling at in. Studio with a sense of achievement for what has been done before us by women around the world, and an acknowledgement of the journey that still lies ahead.

in. Studio + Cafe taps into a cross-section of industry innovators, entrepreneurs, makers and doers from design, events, publishing, art and starts-ups from the creative industries, social innovation and technology.  

Here you’ll find our upcoming events as well as thoughtful and insightful commentary on living and working in today’s world of creative business.

Our journal : Inspire gives voice to topical themes through a series of journals and events by in. Studio+Cafe throughout the year, with an aim to build our local business community of like-minded, good people that are empowering, entertaining and inspiring. Stay tuned for up-coming events at in. Studio+Cafe.

And if you have an event you would like to host in our space, then get in touch.

in. Studio + Cafe taps into a cross-section of industry innovators, entrepreneurs, makers and doers from design, events, publishing, art and starts-ups from the creative industries, social innovation and technology. Here you’ll find our upcoming events as well as thoughtful and insightful commentary on living and working in today’s world of creative business. Our journal : Inspire gives voice to topical themes through a series of blogs and events by in. Studio + Cafe throughout the year, with an aim to build our local business community of like-minded, good people that are empowering, entertaining and inspiring. Stay tuned for up-coming events at in. Studio + Cafe. We host events! If you have an event you would like to host in our flexible space, then get in touch.