International Women’s Day (8th March) is a time to celebrate women, to connect on the issues that are important to them, and for their allies to listen and partake too.
This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. Equity is creating fair and inclusive opportunities for everyone, lifting up those who need it to ensure that everyone is on a level playing field. This may mean that some people need more support than others, due to their circumstances or background.
Below are some great quotes from two of our female leaders explaining the importance of International Women’s Day and what #EmbraceEquity means to them.
Karen James OBE, Chief Executive
What’s your role and can you give a brief overview of your career history?
I am currently the Chief Executive Officer across Tameside Integrated Care Foundation Trust as well as Stockport Foundation Trust. I started my career journey as a Registered Nurse, which led to my appointment as Ward Sister in my early twenties. The role challenged my management skills but really allowed me to develop an interest in leadership and the impact that good leaders can have in the workplace which inspired me to develop my role in nurse management. Having completed by Masters Programme in Management, I was encouraged to consider opportunities in General Management, leaving my nursing career behind me, although my clinical background has always helped me understand issues from a clinical perspective which is also important. Following on from undertaking a number of General Management and Executive positions, I was subsequently appointed to my first Chief Executive post in 2013. My career path was never planned, I have just been very fortunate in accessing the many opportunities the NHS provides.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s day is an opportunity to recognise and to celebrate the achievements of women in society around the workplace. It is a way of highlighting the importance of women’s equality but more importantly it is about Inclusion.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To be less critical of myself and to be more confident in what I am able to offer and achieve and listen to your gut feelings more.
Sivanthi Sivanadarajah, Consultant in Emergency Medicine
What’s your role and can you give a brief overview of your career history?
I currently work as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine. Having graduated from Manchester Medical School in 2002, I eventually joined higher specialist training in 2007 after a long and rocky five-year path into training. I took 2 years out of programme to go on maternity leave. I had to learn how to re-acclimatise myself back into training and juggle full time shift work with two young children which was incredibly challenging. Flexible working was more difficult back then, so it wasn’t really a feasible option for me at the time. I completed my training in 2013 and it was a proud moment for me to attend the RCEM diploma ceremony with my family. My first consultant post at MRI ED was a huge learning curve for me, and I spent 8 years there learning key leadership skills including how to assert myself in male-dominated meetings! I took a decision to move to Stepping Hill around 18 months ago and I love it here. I sit on the EDI steering group and co-chair the Race Equality Network. My key focus is to help our organisation become more equitable; one in which everyone is valued and given the right opportunities to achieve their full potential.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity to platform inspirational women globally. I’m proud to identify as a Sri-Lankan Tamil British woman. I wasn’t born in Britain, but this is the place I call home, and this is most definitely my children’s home. It’s important to value and celebrate the unique diverse identities that we each embody and acknowledge the different journeys that each of us has travelled to arrive at this exact point in life. This year’s IWD’s theme lies close to my heart. In embracing equity, we acknowledge that each of us has different starting points in life with some being more fortunate, getting a head start and being given greater opportunities; and others having obstacles thrown in their path and being given far fewer opportunities. Diversity and inclusion alone does not lead to fairer outcomes. Equity is about fairer outcomes, so how do we make things fairer? Not just for women, but for all marginalised and minoritized groups? What can we each do to embrace equity within our own sphere of influence and play our part in forging positive change that will in the end lead to a fairer happier society for all.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to be less fearful. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and others and for what you believe. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable or vulnerable or make mistakes because that’s where true growth happens. Set yourself boundaries and try not to sweat the small stuff so you can keep your energy replenished. Try and live in the moment, not in the past or the future. Finally, don’t be afraid to be yourself; your true, authentic, imperfect self. Don’t change yourself just to try and fit in. Be proud of who you are.. just as you are. You are worthy. You are enough!