What does 'Inspire Inclusion' mean to us?

Friday 8 March marks another International Women's Day (IWD), a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women around the globe, while also raising awareness of the challenges they still face. This year's theme "Inspire Inclusion" theme urges us to actively dismantle discrimination and create a world where all women, regardless of background, disability, or identity, have the opportunity to thrive.

In this article, the Future Faces Diversity & Inclusion working group members, Faye, Shereen and Nadia, will discuss what "Inspire Inclusion," means to them and why it is important to actively create an environment where all women feel valued, empowered, and have a genuine sense of belonging.

Navigating the professional world with a disability has been very difficult at times but with the support of family, friends and colleagues I have been able to get to where I am today, writes Faye Jacklin, working group lead.

However, not every young professional will have this level of support available to them. Therefore, networks, such as Future Faces are vital to support young professionals and inspire them to achieve their full potential as well as making them feel like they belong to a community. It is also important to raise awareness of the resources that are available to support disabled employees and their employers so that workplaces can be as inclusive as possible.

The tax industry, like many others, was historically male dominated and whilst progress is being made, women remain underrepresented among senior partners and executives within tax firms. Having a diverse leadership yields better decision-making, greater innovation, and enhanced client service. By providing female colleagues with access to mentors and advocates, as well as initiatives such as flexible working and enhanced parental leave packages, employers will help to inspire and motivate female professionals to work towards being future leaders. Engaging with campaigns and events associated with IWD is also another way to support female employees and celebrate what they bring to the team.

Now it’s Nadia’s turn to give her thoughts on Inspire Inclusion:

To inspire inclusion means to celebrate diversity and empowerment on International Women's Day 2024 and beyond, writes Nadia..

As a female working in the male dominated world of financial planning, I think it is important that we are guided by role models in our industry who embody what it is to be a successful, genuine, and trustworthy leader. Our industries and leadership should reflect the diverse and unique nature of the clients we look to support.

As a disabled young professional, I want to promote a world that celebrates our diversity and empowers us to embrace our unique perspectives and experiences. By establishing diverse workforces that reflect our communities; we can make better informed decisions, ensure policies and procedures are inclusive to all, and gain a different perspective and continue our own education.

For 2024, I want to encourage myself and others to make commitments to inspire inclusion. My commitments are as follows:

• Forging women’s economic empowerment – to promote financial education of females to foster resilience, increased capability and control of their own financial futures
• Challenge stereotypes – with education and open and honest discussions, we can alter misconceptions and value everyone’s differences
• Ensure women are part of leadership and planning – women should be involved in every decision-making process that impacts us as women. I will endeavour to take part in discussions that impact the inclusivity and diversity of our profession

Finally, let’s hear from Shereen about what Inspire Inclusion means to her:

I could easily echo the sentiments expressed by Nadia and Faye with regard to the legal sector, which, much like their respective industries, is widely acknowledged for its male-dominated culture, writes Shereen..

While statistical data indicates that women now constitute a larger portion of the legal profession compared to men, the truth persists that senior positions, such as Partnerships and board memberships, predominantly belong to men. When considering intersectionality, the disparities in representation become even more glaring, particularly for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

As a gay woman originating from a low socioeconomic and ethnic minority background, I initially found myself suppressing various aspects of my identity in the pursuit of a successful career, experiencing feelings of exclusion and self-doubt. I felt compelled to conform to fit into the industry's norms. However, as time passed, I've embraced my identity and realised that it is the legal profession itself that must adapt, not me. Like many other sectors, the legal field must advocate for inclusivity and celebrate the richness that diversity brings. It should create an environment where individuals are empowered to be their true selves without any fear.

Through my involvement in initiatives such as the Future Faces D&I working group and other diversity and inclusion committees within my firm and the legal sector, I strive to champion diversity and serve as a role model for the next generation. My aim is to ensure that no one feels compelled to conceal their true authentic self, as I did when embarking on this career path. I firmly believe that representation and visible role models are powerful agents of change and can inspire inclusivity.