152. Why I am talking more about men for this years International Women's Day

Why I am talking more about men for this years International Women's Day.   In all transparency, last IWD I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of celebrating another day filled with purple balloons, cupcakes and being told to hug ourselves.  The whole thing was starting to make me cringe.  How will all this smash the patriarchy? Now this sounds crazy to you and me both because I know how important days like this are for raising awareness - thats the whole point of awareness days / weeks / months, but that's just the thing - has it lost it's way? For me its about reminding everyone why it's still important to work on gender equity because we are still not there yet and the recent and some that seem neverending events around the world where by women and children are the ones really feeling the dire and often demoralising consequences are enough to make anyone think why bother? However this is exactly why we need to.  The time is NOW. There’s a lot of despair in the world right now around women’s rights and gender equity. I cannot believe what I am seeing.I feel like we are going backwards; although maybe this is what others want us to believe; in fact maybe it's just the opposite. This concerning pushback threatens bodily autonomy, sees increasing gender-based violence, and systemic barriers that hold women and marginalised communities back. So this moment is not just about defending progress; it's about driving change forward. And as change gains momentum so does pushback. And in Florence's words "It's always darkest before the dawn". And this is why I see the huge and powerful place for male allyship now more than ever.  Those men that get it.  Those men that can see the harmful impact that lack of inclusivity and equity has for women in the world.  I have started sharing male allies when I see them over on my insta stories @nomorehiningco and saving them in a highlight in case you ever need a reminder that they are out there.   Because that's the thing - No More Hiding isn't just about women being more visible, it's about everyone being more visible for the things that matter - speaking out and sharing their lived experiences and ideas about how we can be more inclusive and hear more perspectives around those decision making tables.  Thats how we make a difference and thats how change happens  So in this series we explore the crucial role male allies play in creating more equitable workplaces.  We'll dive into why male allyship is essential—not just for women’s career progression, but for building healthier, more successful organizations overall. When we talk about workplace gender equality, the focus often falls on policies and initiatives. But true change doesn’t happen without action—and that’s where male allies come in. In this series, we’ll unpack what real allyship looks like, why it’s not enough to just “support” women behind the scenes, and how visibility and advocacy from men can make all the difference. Throughout the series, we’ll be joined by industry leaders, workplace culture experts, and professionals who have firsthand experience with allyship in action. We’ll explore the challenges, the impact, and the simple yet powerful ways men can step up in their workplaces. From amplifying women’s voices in meetings to actively advocating for equal opportunities, we’ll break down what meaningful allyship looks like—and why it benefits everyone. I saw a quote that struck a chord with me from Lilly tomlin and she said “ I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that..theh I realised I was somebody” So, if you’re ready to learn, challenge assumptions, and take action, you’re in the right place. -------------- Book a chat with Gemma - This is the place to book a call to see how Gemma can help you or your company support female leaders to raise their profile, increase performance and visibility and build more allies.   Get the White Paper > ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression   I want to hear from YOU so get in touch with me:   Connect with your host Gemma Stow: Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/ LinkedIn: Business Page https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-more-hiding/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomorehidingco Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/gemmastow.bsky.social