International Women’s Day is still relevant as there is an imbalance between men and women in the workplace.
Last week, a conference was held at Teesside University in celebration of International Women Day, which welcomed some very inspiring and powerful women.
Two of the three women who spoke on the panel are Teesside University Alumni and have gone onto work towards fighting against domestic violence and excelling in the legal industry.
Leanne Hogg was one of the first women to share her story about what it is like to work as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate, (IDVA).
She attended Teesside University in 2002 to 2005 and has gone onto having over 15 years experience of supporting victims of domestic abuse.
Her role offers a range of support including security for victims, mental health freedom groups and counselling.
Another panellist, Erica Turner also went onto explain her journey of becoming a lawyer for Jackson’s Law Firm, which is the longest established law firm in the North East.
She is currently the Head of Commercial Property at Jackson’s Solicitors.
Erica studied at Teesside University as well as York in order to pursue a career in Law and qualified as a solicitor in 2010.
She spoke passionately about what it is like be a businesswoman, her passion for equality between men and women, as well as women and women has enabled the law firm, she works for to expand their business for more women to be in senior positions.
Erica went on to highlight that: “promotion should be based on skill set, ability, innovation and not on statistics. A lawyer should be known as a lawyer, not specifically a female lawyer.”
Loren Smith also spoke at the conference about her current role as the Interim Head of Reducing Re-offending at Her Majesty’s Prison at Askham Grange after studying Psychology at the University of Lincoln.
Her current role consists of dealing with children and families as she stated that 97% of children are taken away from them once a woman goes to prison. Her organization helps to improve individual’s health and mental health, problems with alcohol and drugs, employment training and education, accommodation, finances, attitudes and behaviour, abuse and sex work.
She stated: “Some people still don’t respect women and it is not the women’s fault, it is on the person who refuses to accept you as a hard working women. ”
The message of International Women Day certainly spread quickly as #internationalwomensday was and is still trending on Twitter.
International Women day took place on Sunday the 8th March so make sure you are using the #Eachforequal # Equalforeach #IWD2020
Maryam Ali
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