Today, I'm reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of women around the world. This year's theme, Inspire Inclusion, speaks to the heart of our shared mission to ensure that every woman, regardless of her race or circumstances, has the opportunity to fulfill her potential.

Working in an inclusive workplace means being part of an environment where diversity is valued, respected, and leveraged to foster innovation, creativity, and empathy among team members. In an inclusive workplace, every individual—regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other aspect of identity—feels welcomed, valued, and supported.

The latest statistics paint a powerful picture of both progress and persistent challenges:

Women represent roughly 1 in 4 C-suite leaders, and women of color just 1 in 16.
- Latinas stand out as being the least likely of any group of women to receive a raise in the last year and also face the steepest climb up the corporate ladder: only 1 percent of C-suite executives are Latina.
This year, for every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, 87 women were promoted. And this gap is trending the wrong way for women of color: this year, 73 women of color were promoted to manager for every 100 men, down from 82 women of color last year.
Roughly 1 in 3 women with disabilities and 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ and Black women have felt invisible or like their accomplishments didn’t get noticed at work.

While we've seen strides towards gender equality, there's still much work to be done. Women, particularly women of color, continue to face barriers in accessing leadership roles and equal opportunities.

As someone deeply committed to empowering women, I believe it's essential that we not only acknowledge these disparities but actively work to address them. This means advocating for policies and practices that promote gender parity and create pathways for women's advancement. It also means fostering a culture of inclusion where every woman's voice is heard and valued.

Sponsorship plays a crucial role in this effort. By actively sponsoring women, organizations can move towards truly inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. This requires a commitment from the top down, with leaders recognizing the value of diversity and actively working to promote it by celebrating the unique contributions of women from all backgrounds and ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.

A few key benefits of creating an inclusive workplace:

Retention and Satisfaction: Organizations that actively sponsor women tend to have higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention. Women who feel supported and see clear pathways for advancement are more likely to remain with an employer and feel engaged in their work.

Broadened Perspectives: Including women in leadership roles and decision-making processes brings diverse perspectives and ideas, which is vital for innovation and problem-solving. Sponsorship helps ensure that these voices are heard and valued, enriching the organizational culture and its outputs.

Networking and Relationships: Sponsors can help women build strategic relationships and networks that are often inaccessible. These connections are crucial for professional growth and can lead to new opportunities both within and outside the organization.

Click here for recommendations on how to #InspireInclusion in your company.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's recommit ourselves to the work of building a more equitable and inclusive world. Let's lift each other up, support one another, and continue to push for progress. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the chance to thrive and succeed.

Thank you for being part of this journey towards empowerment and inclusion.

Together we unleash forward.

Salima