International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every year on March 8th. This day is dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and to raising awareness about the ongoing fight for gender equality worldwide.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “Choose to Challenge”. The theme encourages individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality, working towards a more inclusive and equitable world for women.

The history of International Women’s Day dates back to 1908, when a group of women marched through the streets of New York City to demand better working conditions and the right to vote. Since then, IWD has grown to become a global movement, with events and activities taking place in countries all over the world.

One of the key issues that International Women’s Day seeks to address is gender inequality. Despite significant progress in recent years, women still face many barriers to achieving full equality with men. These barriers include unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, gender-based violence, and discrimination in the workplace.

There are many ways to get involved in International Women’s Day. You can attend events and marches, participate in social media campaigns, or donate to organisations that work to promote gender equality. You can also use the day as an opportunity to learn more about the struggles that women face, and to commit to making a positive difference in the lives of women around the world.

Ultimately, International Women’s Day is about celebrating the progress that has been made towards gender equality, while recognizing that there is still much work to be done. By working together, we can create a world where women have the same opportunities and rights as men, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender.

In the tech and digital industries, it has historically been male-dominated, with women often facing barriers to entry and advancement in these fields. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diversity in these industries, and a push to increase the representation of women in tech and digital jobs.

There are many reasons why it is important to increase the number of women in tech and digital jobs. First and foremost, it is a matter of fairness and equality. Women make up half of the population, and they should have the same opportunities to pursue careers in these fields as men do. Additionally, research has shown that diverse teams are more innovative and productive and that companies with more diverse workforces are more successful.

Despite these benefits, women continue to be underrepresented in tech and digital jobs. According to a report by the National Centre for Women & Information Technology, women made up only 25% of the computing workforce in 2020. In addition, women are often paid less than men for doing the same jobs, and they are less likely to be promoted to leadership positions.

There are many reasons why women may be underrepresented in tech and digital jobs. One factor is a lack of role models and mentors. When women don’t see other women succeeding in these fields, they may be less likely to pursue careers in them. Additionally, women may face biases and discrimination in the hiring and promotion process, and they may not have the same access to education and training opportunities as men do.

To address these issues, there are many initiatives underway to increase the representation of women in tech and digital jobs. For example, some companies are implementing diversity and inclusion programs, setting targets for hiring and promoting women, and providing training and mentoring opportunities. In addition, there are many organisations that focus specifically on supporting women in tech and digital jobs, providing resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy.

There are also many things that individuals can do to support women in tech and digital jobs. For example, men can become allies and advocates for women, and they can work to address biases and discrimination in the workplace. Women can seek out mentors and role models, and they can advocate for themselves and their peers.

In conclusion, increasing the representation of women in tech and digital jobs is a matter of fairness, equality, and good business sense. By working together to address the barriers that women face, we can create a more diverse, innovative, and successful tech and digital industry.