International Women’s Day 2022: Q&A

International Women’s Day offers us time to reflect on the incredible achievements of women across the world, as well as the chance to understand the steps we can continue to take on the journey to equality.

With this in mind, we took the opportunity to speak to a couple of the inspiring women that work at Aqua with a short Q&A.

First, we spoke to Bethan our Digital Communications Officer:

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? And why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

For me IWD is a chance to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women. I think it’s important that we recognise this day to continue with the global efforts to fight for women’s equality.

What makes you proud to be a woman working in the NHS?

What makes me proud to be a woman working in the NHS is to see so many women working in a variety of positions achieving amazing things and breaking down the barriers of the old-fashioned stereotypes.

The theme for 2022 is all about imagining how we can become a gender equal world and #breakthebias. With this in mind, how do you think we can continue to #breakthebias in day-to-day life?

I think to continue breaking the bias we need to be relentless and not give up on everything that we’re doing globally to make women equal. We’ve already come so far, but we need to keep going!

Share with us a woman that inspires you most, or quote that inspires you most.

For women that inspire me the most, I’d have to say the women in my family. But a quote that I think is really powerful is “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” – Sheryl Sandberg

We also chatted to Louise, Senior Improvement and Leadership Advisor:

What does International Women’s Day mean to y

ou? And why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

I think women raising other women is absolutely vital and IWD gives us an opportunity to do that. I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing women who have absolutely supported and encouraged me, and again the day gives a platform to remember and celebrate the importance of that, and remind us that we need to support and encourage the new generation of women too.  

What makes you proud to be a woman working in the NHS?

I think the NHS is full of inspiring women (just like Aqua!). The work we are doing in System Transformation, supporting communities to use the opportunities of the new ICS’s to do things differently for all communities (and the women within them) is a really exciting agenda.

The theme for 2022 is all about imagining how we can become a gender equal world and #breakthebias. With this in mind, how do you think we can continue to #breakthebias in day-to-day life?

My tween and teen daughters are teaching me a lot about how we look at gender and the myriad of ways that can play out for people. There are many biases around gender and by having conversations such as this we can all keep learning and supporting each other.

Share with us a woman that inspires you most, or quote that inspires you most.

I have to say I’m a bit of a Dolly Parton fan, she’s a feminist and businesswoman, but doing it the way she wants. I’m not saying I admire her style, but I admire her being out there and proud about her style whilst being a feminist at the same time, go Dolly!

Finally, we heard from Ruth Yates, Associate Director:

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? And why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

For centuries women’s contributions have been ignored, underplayed, and belittled and so it’s great to have a day set aside to reflect and celebrate. The international aspect is crucial to me; celebrating the diversity of experience, disparities in power and privilege alongside the universal experiences that connect us.

What makes you proud to be a woman working in the NHS?

The NHS is powered by a shared understanding that when we get ill we will care for each other and this isn’t conditional on where you live, what you earn or how you got ill. This ethos has inspired so many women, including myself, to dedicate their working life to the NHS and it’s something I’m extraordinarily proud of.

The theme for 2022 is all about imagining how we can become a gender equal world and #breakthebias. With this in mind, how do you think we can continue to #breakthebias in day-to-day life?

I’m surrounded by good people who want to do the right thing and want to live in a gender equal world. But when we hold power, we often don’t recognise our bias or the inequities we’re complicit in. That’s why I thought the #metoo movement was so crucial. We need to be comfortable to have uncomfortable conversations about our experiences and to question our own and our colleague’s contribution to introducing or re-enforcing bias.

Share with us a woman that inspires you most, or quote that inspires you most.

As a woman working with data in the NHS it has to be Florence Nightingale who summed it up nicely with “How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”

To find out more about the brilliant women that work here at Aqua, visit the ‘Our People’ webpage, and to get involved in the fight for equality visit the International Women’s Day website.