I had the most incredible experience recently, chatting with nine remarkable women to discuss how we can truly accelerate action and progress for women everywhere. As I listened to their stories and insights, I was struck by the common threads that emerged - the shared challenges we face and the powerful solutions we can create together.
There's something magical that happens when women come together to share their experiences. The vulnerability, the wisdom, and the determination create this beautiful tapestry of strength that reminds us we're not alone in our struggles. And that's exactly what happened during our Accelerate Action campaign.
The Power of Women's Voices
Each woman I spoke with brought her unique perspective, yet certain themes resonated across all their stories. Tracey Sainsbury, a fertility counsellor, spoke about something I've felt in my own life - that nagging self-doubt that can hold us back. "Give yourself time and space to get the right support to make the decisions that work for you," she advised. How often have we talked ourselves out of opportunities because we didn't believe we were good enough?
The healthcare system came up repeatedly as a significant barrier. Demi Santana Brown, an endometriosis warrior, shared her frustration with how women's pain is often dismissed. "One of the biggest barriers I've faced as a woman is navigating the healthcare system, particularly when it comes to gynaecological health," she explained. This echoed Holly Cartlidge's experience of struggling for years before getting an endometriosis diagnosis. Holly described it as "absolutely draining" not having access to "accurate, credible and easily-digestible advice."
Ali, who's managing stage 4 endometriosis, highlighted how women are too often told their pain is "normal" or that they're overreacting. It's maddening, isn't it? That sense of knowing something is wrong with your body, yet having healthcare professionals dismiss your concerns.
The workplace emerged as another significant challenge. Zara Bentley opened up about the difficulties of returning to work after having her daughter, explaining how the lack of flexibility forced her to choose between her career and family. "I don't regret my decision," she shared, "but it's frustrating that women are often the ones forced to choose between continuing their careers or stepping away."
Sophie Plant touched on something that resonated deeply with me - the societal conditioning that teaches girls to be "polite, quiet, agreeable, look pretty, to shrink ourselves rather than take up space." How many of us have dimmed our light to make others comfortable?
Accelerating Action Together
So, what can we do to create real change? Our conversations revealed several powerful actions we can take right now:
- Believe women and amplify their voices. As Demi put it, "Listen to women, believe them, and take action." This applies to healthcare, the workplace, and everyday life.
- Make women's health a global priority. Ali emphasised the need for "policy changes that improve access to healthcare, funding research into conditions that predominantly affect women, and ensuring that menstrual and reproductive health are included in mainstream conversations."
- Create more flexible workplaces. Zara advocated for "better parental leave, part-time or remote work options and on-site childcare" to prevent women from having to choose between career and family.
- Provide trustworthy information. Holly pointed out how crucial it is to "provide trustworthy information from experts" about women's health conditions. Knowledge is power, and too many women are suffering in silence without understanding what's happening in their bodies.
- Challenge gender biases daily. Sophie urged us to speak up against outdated stereotypes and encourage girls to "take up space, be loud and embrace their power."
- Educate the next generation. Laura Cartwright, femme co-founder, emphasised that "if children are brought up and educated to believe in equality, and to see no barriers for either sex, then we can completely change the landscape for women's equality."
- Build supportive communities. Throughout all the conversations, the power of community and women supporting women emerged as a crucial element for change.
What struck me most was how interconnected all these issues are. The barriers women face in healthcare affect their ability to fully participate in the workplace. The societal conditioning we receive as girls impacts our confidence as women. The responsibility for change often falls disproportionately on women's shoulders.
But there's immense hope in these stories too. Each woman I spoke with is actively creating change in her own way - through advocacy, education, community-building, and simply by refusing to accept the status quo.
Moving Forward Together
As I reflect on these powerful conversations, I'm reminded that progress happens when we combine our individual actions into collective movement. When we support each other, believe each other, and amplify each other's voices, we create momentum that cannot be ignored.
The women who shared their stories with me are lighting the way forward. They're showing us that by embracing our experiences - even the painful ones - and using them to fuel positive change, we can accelerate progress for all women.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. What action will you take today to accelerate progress for women? What barriers have you faced, and how have you overcome them? Let's continue this important conversation and keep the momentum going.
Together, we are unstoppable.
Love, Becs x
