Want to #BalanceforBetter on International Women’s Day 2019?

It’s March 8th and that means it’s International Women’s Day 2019. Last year was #PressforProgress and this year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter. Let’s delve into what that means exactly.

What is #BalanceforBetter?

As always, International Women’s Day offers a great opportunity to celebrate women’s accomplishments and push for gender equality globally, including in the wages area. So I stand behind the annual campaign that happens worldwide. After all, I consider my reason for being is to help women. It is my life purpose.

To better understand the 2019 theme #BalanceforBetter, I went right to the source. As the main website for International Women’s Day 2019 explains, “Balance drives a better working world. Let’s all help create a #BalanceforBetter.”

So, this year is about gender balance.

That term can apply to not only the disproportionate pay between genders but also the noticeable absence of women in leadership roles and STEM. While gaps are narrowing, there’s still a ways to go.

To strive for a world with gender balance is important not just because it’s morally right but also because it’s what’s best for everyone, in my opinion. Only when we have an environment that encourages people of all genders to be at their best can our world truly be all that it can be. And that’s where the “Better” in #BalanceforBetter comes in.

When women are on an equal playing field to men, the world will be able to breathe fully – that’s politically, socially, economically, and culturally. When there’s equal opportunity, think of all the wonderful voices we’ll be able to hear clearly and the learning that can happen! The world can be amazing for everyone in it.

#BalanceforBetter Year Round

While International Women’s Day 2019 will get a lot of press online this week and maybe even next week, I encourage you to keep the momentum alive for #BalanceforBetter the rest of the year. Even right up until March 8th of next year. And then again with the new theme of 2020, and so on.

Why? Because we all are necessary forces in achieving gender equality on a global scale. While places like Iceland are in some ways more forward thinking about women, there is still so much to do! We can’t stop trying to achieve gender balance. So let’s each try to #BalanceforBetter.

And that doesn’t mean you have to start a charity. Or a blog like I did to celebrate women’s achievements and provide useful tips to living the fullest life possible. Instead it’s about supporting women and cheering them on when you see something amazing or a moment of courage in a female. It’s about uplifting women daily. It could be that you send a note to someone saying you thought something she did was exceptional. Do you know how that can transform her day? Imagine if we each did that today. Wow.

On International Women’s Day 2019 and Beyond

We each have things we are passionate about. It might be art, such as painting, or a sport, such as basketball. Whatever it is for you I encourage you to look at how you can transform it to #BalanceforBetter for everyone.

For example, do you notice that there are few women volunteering at your church? Or is there a noticeable hesitation among females in the boardroom of your company that keeps them from speaking up?

Maybe you have a friend who says she doesn’t consider herself “beautiful” in any way. There are many ways to lift up females around us, not tear them down with words or violence, no matter what is your career or social status. So let’s do exactly that. And we all stand to benefit from the results, no matter our gender.

And I encourage you to do so, not only today on International Women’s Day 2019 but throughout the year. That’s the only way we will be able to #BalanceforBetter.

♥ Christy