International Women’s Day 2024 – 5 reasons why we think it’s important.

International Women’s Day 2024

Why NewArmstrong considers it important to celebrate International Women’s Day: In the modern work environment, the pursuit of gender equality is a crucial issue. Having an equal relationship between men and women in the workplace is very important: why do we think so?

It revolves around a number of themes: equal opportunity, positive work environment, creativity and innovation, career opportunities, motivation and satisfaction. Our Operations Manager Marie Antoinette Vrijbloed can outline why this is so important within NewArmstrong.

Equal opportunities and rights:

Legally, men and women in the Netherlands have the same rights. Yet practice shows that their position is often not equal.
In 2021, women earned on average 13% less per hour than men (a good reason to pay attention to International Women’s Day 2024, in other words). Moreover, nearly half of all women are financially dependent on a partner or the government.
Equal treatment comes with equal opportunities and rights for both genders.

Marie Antoinette:
From my experience, awareness is the first step to change. At NewArmstrong, we want to work to recognize and address inequality. My goal is to create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can reach their full potential, but also dare to speak up if they are hindered in doing so. As an operations manager, I make sure that gender plays no role in how duties and responsibilities are distributed. It’s about the right person in the right place.

Creativity and innovation:

Diversity in teams makes them more creative and innovative. A mix of different perspectives leads to better solutions and products.
Employers who strive for gender equality foster an environment from which diverse ideas emerge.

Marie Antoinette: I also recognize this within our various project teams, I have seen how diversity within teams sometimes leads to surprisingly different perspectives and therefore a better result.

Positive work environment:

Gender balance contributes to a positive work atmosphere.
This is promoted by working in an inclusive environment. It makes all employees feel part of the team and valued for who they are and what they contribute.

Marie Antoinette: A positive and respectful work environment is the basis for satisfaction. I strive for everyone to feel recognized and valued, which is also important for our collective success.

Career opportunities:

Equal distribution encourages equal opportunity. Women are given more opportunities to showcase their accomplishments and grow.

Marie Antoinette: I am proud to see how employees grow and develop, in our commitment to providing equal opportunities. It ensures that everyone, regardless of gender, can grow in their roles. With that, I think it’s important that both women and men don’t put themselves at a disadvantage, so I pay attention to that.

Motivation and Satisfaction:

Gender equality increases employee motivation and satisfaction.
An inclusive culture where everyone has equal opportunities leads to more engagement with the team. ‘An equal division in the team between men and women is not always easy.

“We employ men and women and look at what qualities are offered and how we can use them equally,” according to Marie Antoinette.

Gender balance in the workplace with equal opportunities is not just an ethical issue or a strategic move. Marie Antoinette’s conclusion:

It impacts employee well-being. It helps create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This allows employees to fully engage and develop and know that they will be judged on their merits and contributions and not their gender. As leaders, our job is to ensure that our values are not only spoken, but lived. It’s about working together as a team, where everyone feels supported and valued.