International Women's Day 2024 - #InspireInclusion
What is International Women’s day (IWD)?
International Women's Day (IWD) has been commemorated annually on March 8th since its inception in 1908. This global observance serves as a platform to shed light on the myriad challenges and injustices women confront in their daily lives. Through the lens of data analysis, we can observe a promising trend: a gradual increase in the representation of female leaders and CEOs. This trend not only signifies progress but also challenges the pervasive biases that women often encounter.
The theme for International Women's Day 2024, #InspireInclusion, encapsulates the essence of fostering a more inclusive society. By inspiring others to recognize and appreciate the importance of women's inclusion, we contribute to the creation of a more equitable world. Moreover, when women themselves are motivated to actively participate and be included, it fosters a profound sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
In essence, International Women's Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality while also celebrating the achievements and contributions of women worldwide. Through collective action and advocacy, we can strive towards a future where every woman is valued, respected, and given equal opportunities to thrive.[1]
Do we still need to celebrate IWD?
Yes! There is still a need to promote the day as the mission of reaching gender equality between men and women has not yet been achieved. Here are the facts;
The gender pay gap has been declining slowly over time; over the last decade it has fallen by approximately a quarter among full-time employees, and in April 2023 it stands at 7.7%. There remains a large difference in the gender pay gap between employees aged 40 years and over and those aged under 40 years. [2]
Female leaders are still lacking - around the world, just 26 women are serving as world leaders. - [3]
Women in Leadership: Globally, women hold only 29% of senior management positions. [4]
While women make up between 66-71% of leadership roles in higher education concerning academic, fiscal, and student affairs, they only make up 19-29% of leadership roles in facilities, IT, and athletics. - [3]
While progress has been made, over 132 million girls worldwide remain out of school, and women still lag behind men in terms of access to education, particularly in certain regions and rural areas. [5]
International Women's Day acknowledges the concept of intersectionality, recognizing that women's experiences are shaped by various intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and more. Ensuring inclusivity requires addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by women at these intersections.
Will you help Inspire Inclusion?
Many individuals in the world believe IWD is all about degrading and putting men down - Butterfly Data strongly disagree with this statement. As the previous issues mentioned are ongoing we need to embrace this day, encourage open discussions, celebrate and recognise the achievements of women. Some people prefer to call IWD ‘Anti Sexism day’, ‘Civil Awareness Day’ or ‘Anti-Discrimination Day’.
Here are some ways in which Butterfly as a business help raise awareness with regards to International Women’s Day & #Inspireinclusion;
Amplify Diverse Voices - Here at Butterfly Data we hire and promote people from all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other factors. This ensures that all members of staff feel valued in their workplace, we carry out an employee survey every 6 months to gather opinions and assess how the team feel about working for an employee owned, certified B-Corp like us. We also feel the importance to show our commitment of employee inclusion on Butterfly's strategic direction, listening and implementing our employees overall views for Butterfly Data. Allowing all employees to voice their opinions, concerns, positive aspects and constructive criticism anonymously.
Educate and Raise Awareness - We attend various events which inspire to raise awareness with regards to women in Business and Data communities alike. Presenting our findings and success stories back to our internal team and sharing them on LinkedIn.
Foster Empathy and Understanding - Encouraging dialogue and communication within our business is an area we strive to continuously implement within our team, we have a culture club to openly discuss our values and ethics ensuring that everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgement.
Advocate for Inclusive Policies - We have multiple factors within our policies that promote equality, diversity, and fairness, we ensure a workplace where everyone thrives. Our commitment extends beyond words, creating an environment that fosters empowerment, respect, and opportunities for all team members. Providing flexible working hours, parental leave, we conduct a bi-annual employee engagement survey and provide an anonymous suggestion box which helps to identify areas where improvements can be made to promote greater inclusivity across the business.
Promote Allyship and Collaboration - In our dynamic business environment, fostering allyship and collaboration is essential for our workplace culture that thrives on diversity and inclusion. By actively promoting allyship, we encourage individuals to stand in solidarity with one another, fostering a sense of support and understanding. We have male & female scrum masters, mentors and mental health first aiders within our business. Collaboration becomes the foundation of innovation, as diverse perspectives come together to create a more robust and inclusive working environment. Through intentional efforts to build strong alliances and partnerships, we not only celebrate our differences but use them as strengths, driving the collective success of our business. Embracing allyship and collaboration is not just a commitment to diversity; it's a strategic investment in the shared success and growth of our entire team.
Celebrate Diversity and Representation - When it comes to organising the quarterly company events, we take great pride in the diversity of our workforce. We firmly believe in recognising and respecting the various cultural celebrations that our employees hold dear throughout the year. To ensure that everyone feels included and valued, we are committed to avoid scheduling events on significant occasions such as Diwali, Ramadan and Eid. Not only does our commitment to inclusivity avoid these dates, we go to great lengths to ensure that the chosen restaurant caters to the diverse dietary requirements of our team. Accommodating for a variety of vegetarian dishes, Halal options and also Gluten free preferences. We aim to provide an environment so that every member of staff within the business feels respected and valued, irrespective of their background, culture and dietary requirements. Our company culture policy also supports this commitment to inclusivity to continuously strive for a harmonious workforce and sense of belonging among our employees.
Support Inclusive Initiatives - Together, we contribute to a workplace that values and celebrates the unique strengths of each and every team member
Engage in Self-Reflection and Growth - As an organisation, we prioritise self-reflection and personal growth through regular one-on-one sessions and the establishment of individual goals. This practice holds immense significance as it provides our team members with a dedicated space to reflect on their own accomplishments and progress within the company. By fostering this culture of self reflection, we empower our staff to not only recognise their achievements but also to actively contribute to their professional development and the overall success of our team.
Lead by Example - We highlight the importance of leading by example within our business. Our commitment to equality is reflected in actions, not just words. By adopting an environment where leadership champions diversity and inclusion, we pave the way for a workplace that truly empowers and uplifts every member of staff
Thoughts from the women working for Butterfly Data and why this well established SME works so well for us all even though we come from such varied backgrounds and walks of life..
Sara Boltman - Founder & Director
I like to think of myself as our Chief Inspiration Officer and in our weekly all hands meetings I always begin by reminding everyone what we are striving for as an employee owned B-Corp, set against the challenges of that particular week.
Having shared values and a clear purpose can sometimes seem a bit abstract, but when I bring it to life by sharing anecdotes of being the only woman at my table at the ‘Soldiering on awards’ or being asked to contribute a chapter on AI Safety and Bias in an EU data sharing whitepaper, it shows the rest of the team that sometimes inclusion works both ways - when we are included (or invited), we have to step up, show up and represent our world in that world.
Lucy Wilson - Data Analyst
I love being part of an employee-owned organisation; there is certainly a feeling of openness and opportunity. Every Butterfly is encouraged to identify their own professional passions, because people do best when they enjoy their work. In my job, I feel inspired to step forward and drive change for good every day. I am now the Carbon Literacy advocate at Butterfly; I engage the data community to raise awareness of how significant the effects of our industry are on global warming. Did you know that Cloud Storage and Compute is responsible for 4% of global carbon emissions, more than the airline industry? I hope to influence our partners and clients by driving forward green coding and efficient cloud storage.
Sally Wrigley - Project Manager
Women who work in the technology industry are often a rarity; to have a female boss in this sector who also runs a household inspires me daily. Butterfly Data is a people oriented company which upholds true family values; I often refer to us as ‘one big family’. There is a level of trust and understanding that everyone manages their time appropriately. When you have to juggle work and family life, flexible home working helps significantly. We’re given the support to develop ourselves both professionally and personally and there is no differentiation between genders; every Butterfly is empowered to believe they can progress and be the best they can be.
Isobel Taylor - Consultant
As a consultant in Butterfly Data I am often working in various teams: internally within Butterfly, externally with our customers and widely with other companies we collaborate with.
From my experience, over the last two+ years, I appreciate that it is rare to be treated differently in meetings I attend for being a woman. On occasion in an all women call someone may point it out, though more recently this is becoming more normal and less something to remark on.
I value being welcomed for my skills and treated equally. There is still a long way to nationally and globally, my experience may be biased based on the collaborations and clients, however from the last two+ years within this field appears to be more welcoming than not. #inspiredinclusion
Rebecca Mumford - HR Manager
As I reflect on nearly three enriching years within the Butterfly Data family, I find my role and responsibilities within our business persistently #InspireInclusion. From orchestrating memorable events to gathering and analysing employee feedback, ensuring that each member of our team feels heard and valued, to keeping all aware and informed of our business aspirations and goals via our quarterly newsletter. Every task I undertake resonates with a sense of purpose and commitment to fostering inclusivity within our dynamic workforce. Each interaction, each initiative, is infused with a personal touch aimed at nurturing a culture where every individual thrives and contributes to our collective success. I thoroughly enjoy implementing this throughout our business on a daily basis.
Jess Wilford -
Administrator
I'm thrilled to share that I've recently embarked on a new chapter in my career with Butterfly Data. As a mum of two, finding that balance between home and work life can be challenging. However, being part of the Butterfly team has been a game-changer, as it offers the flexibility to work remotely. I am surrounded by incredibly inspiring individuals who, like me, are great at balancing their professional and personal lives.
What makes this job even more inspiring is that our company is led by a working mum, and I am privileged to work alongside many other talented women. Having a mentor to guide and support me in my career journey is so exciting. I am genuinely honoured to be part of such an inclusive company that not only values diversity but actively supports the development of its employees.
I am excited about the future that lies ahead and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of Butterfly Data.
Kim Green - Data Analyst
Eight months ago, I embarked on a new chapter in my career at Butterfly Data. I was extremely lucky growing up to have a very supportive family who actively encouraged me to do anything I set my mind to. Their encouragement led me to choose engineering, a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Recently, a significant milestone marked my professional experience – for the first time since my university days over a decade ago, I found myself part of a project where women held the majority, with one of my female colleagues as team lead. But it doesn't stop there. Our company is actively engaged in bidding for projects aimed at fostering equality and diversity in the workplace, all while championing these values within the fabric of our company culture.
Khadija Durrani - Data Scientist
Coming from the tech sector and a valued team member at Butterfly Data, I am deeply committed to embodying the theme of "Inspire Inclusion" in both my personal and professional pursuits. It is a philosophy that resonates strongly with me, especially as I witness the transformative power of inclusion in the workplace. Coming from a background where equal opportunities are still lacking and where efforts to disassociate women from certain labels and stereotypes are ongoing, I am personally invested in fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment. In my role at Butterfly Data, I am fortunate to be part of a team that values diversity and empowers individuals to thrive regardless of background or circumstance. This commitment to inclusivity is not only possible but actively advocated by our visionary founder, whose principles fosters a supportive environment that enables all team members to excel. Our company's dedication to inclusivity is evident in the flexible working arrangements and supportive culture that facilitate success for everyone. As we celebrate International Women's Day, I am reminded of the importance of championing diversity and breaking down barriers to create a more equitable future for all. Let us continue to inspire inclusion in every aspect of our lives, both within the workplace and beyond.
Poonam Sharma - Data Scientist
This year's International Women's Day theme is "Inspiring Inclusion," and I'm excited to share my thoughts on it. Making everyone feel included starts at home, with our families, friends, schools, and communities. Simple things, like using words that don't favour one gender, cheering on women for their accomplishments, and encouraging girls to explore jobs in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) are really important. It's also crucial for them to know that not all STEM jobs are super technical, breaking stereotypes and making everyone feel welcome.
Despite ongoing programs and initiatives to encourage girls in science, persistent challenges highlight the need for more focused efforts. The significant gender gap in science fields remains a multifaceted issue.
I noticed this contrast during my time as a PhD researcher, the only woman in the entire research team. Although I enjoyed academic life, I made a decision to switch to industry, entering the field of Data Science. My first job was in London where I discovered I was the sole female in the team of skilled men. The current stats outline that male analysts and data scientists outnumber their female counterparts by a ratio of 4 to 1.
Fast forward to the present, I am currently employed as a data scientist at Butterfly Data, and I am also the proud mother of two wonderful kids. Balancing a full-time job with the joys of motherhood is undeniably challenging, a factor overlooked by many companies. Thankfully, I consider myself fortunate to have found Butterfly. It's more than just a workplace; it's a family-oriented company. The company's commitment to flexible working arrangements and trust in managing time appropriately creates an environment that genuinely feels like home.