08/03/2024
It’s that time of year again – International Women’s Day, when organisations ask “inspiring” women to work for free. And it’s yet another instance of me talking about this topic.
In the last five days, I have been asked to work for free for two organisations – a university and a fashion brand. They didn’t have the budget for speaking fees or accommodation.
Countless women I know, who work as writers, speakers, advocates and artists, are asked to donate our time; to tell our stories for free; imparting advice based on lived experience and often involving reliving adversity or trauma – all for the benefit of educating and inspiring audiences who are paid or have paid to be there. And the events are almost always organised by people on salaries.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Count Her In – Accelerating Gender Equality for Women with through Economic Empowerment.
Please count her in your budget when planning your International Women’s Day events. Budget for speakers, as you budget for catering, tech, venue hire and staff. Count her in your budget for the toll of telling her stories, and the time she is away from home. Count her in your budget to ensure you are closing the gender pay gap – for everyone who works for you, not just your employees. Count her in your budget – particularly if she’s from a marginalised background – First Nations, a woman of colour, Disabled, Transgender, a survivor. I am advocating for all women when I ask for payment to speak on days like International Women’s Day.. Count her in your budget. Value a woman enough to pay her.
Read the whole piece of writing on my blog - https://carlyfindlay.com.au/2024/03/04/count-her-in-your-budget-this-international-womens-day/
If this post – or my other work – has helped you, you can buy me a drink. Thanks.
http://carlyfindlay.com.au/support-me
Image: Carly, a woman with a red face and short dark curly hair, wearing a purple, green and white floral dress, smiling, sitting in front of a bookshelf filled with books. Purple text reads “count her in your budget”.
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