On the 8th of March, the world unites to celebrate the achievements and equality of female history, whilst also raising awareness to the challenges women still face. Here at Major Players, we’re proud to report that over 54% of our staff are female, with a diverse spectrum of all shapes, colours, nationalities and ages. This International Women’s Day, we spoke to a few of our female consultants to see how they are championing female empowerment and working towards positive change.
WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MEAN TO YOU?
It’s a celebration of how far women have come in terms of equality and human rights, but also a reminder that we still have a long way to go.
-Tiku van Houtem, Manager
A recognition and celebration of women in all forms – not just the archetypal ‘independent woman’ who is ‘strong and successful’.
-Lydia Wheeldon, Senior Consultant
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WOMAN IN THE PART OF THE WORLD AND SOCIETY YOU LIVE IN?
Not accepting the limitations of gender and constantly working towards equality. Major Players does some great work around that, like our partnership with Creative Comeback or our initiative -Earn Your Worth.
-Sophie Anderson, Associate Consultant
It depends on where I am and who I am with - wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, colleague, lover – we wear a lot of hats!
- Rachel Kasujja, Senior Consultant
WHICH WOMEN ARE YOU INSPIRED BY?
Rosa Luxembourg – an outspoken political figure who fought against war, politics and general sexism in the 1930s. She was outspoken about her desires and behaved ‘like a man’. Also, Rosa Parks, who stood up to racism and segregation in America in the 60s. My mum named me after both these amazing women.
- Rosa Rolo, Commercial Director
My grandmother: she raised five younger siblings and came to London when she was only 14. She then got a job at a magazine and worked her way to editor by the time she was 38 with no formal education past 14. She is an amazing woman.
- Sophie Anderson, Associate Consultant
My mama, always. She raised me to be compassionate and always choose love, and that’s inspired me to encourage that in others too.
- Rand Abbas, Associate Consultant
WHAT TABOOS RELATED TO WOMEN DO YOU WISH WERE BROKEN?
I think the whole subject of periods - period pain, menopause, endometriosis and related conditions to periods - is a massive thing and we should no longer have to suffer in silence. I think the workplace should be more aware and sympathetic to women who suffer from this.
-Tiku van Houtem
That woman are too emotional to be considered good leaders or successful business people.
-Sophie Anderson, Aossociate Consultant
The size we have to be, the makeup we have to wear, the language we should use; the submissive role that antiquated views want us to play.
- Rosa Rolo, Commercial Director
WHAT ROLE OR IMPACT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY IN RELATION TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE?
I want to be part of the generation that didn’t stop because things got better. I want to show the next generation that we got them as close to equality as we could and gave them all the opportunities needed to succeed regardless of gender.
- Sophie Anderson, Associate Consultant
Equal pay, more transparency around salaries, more flexibility for new mums, and the removal of the stereotype that if you have children, you’ve stunted your career and can’t reach the top. Women can have a family AND a successful career.
- Lydia Wheeldon, Senior Consultant
Women globally have different needs and expectations. Culture plays a huge part and should be respected. A woman with conservative views should be allowed to join the same discussion as the liberal woman. There is no blanket term for feminist.
- Rachel Kasujja, Senior Consultant
WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE GENERATION OF WOMEN BEHIND YOU?
Differentiating between political correctness and what actually matters… know your opinions from your facts.
- Rand Abbas, Associate Consultant
One of the biggest challenges that we face as women is the stereotype and societal perception imposed on us that we have to be a certain way to be a “real woman”. The video posted on Instagram by @girl.girls.girls.magazine was the most powerful video I have seen in a long time and summarises this challenge very well.
- Tiku van Houtem, Business Manager
Allow difference to bring forth unity. One woman’s view of her place in the world should be allowed to differ from another, without her being patronised as repressive, depressed or less educated. Sometimes we live in a bubble and have to remind ourselves that we are not a monolith.
- Rachel Kasujja, Senior Consultant
