As International Women’s Day 2024 approaches, the resounding call for action echoes louder than ever with this year’s theme: “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.”

Resonating with the United Nations' focus on women's economic empowerment, the theme underscores a fundamental discussion. It highlights how women's prosperity is an essential part of a gender-equal world. When women are granted equitable opportunities to earn, learn, and lead, the ripple effects are transformative, enriching entire communities.

We sat down with some members of the Hotglue team to ask them what this year’s theme means to them and which women inspire them in their life. Introducing Kylie Rosan (Head of Digital), Penelope Costan (Creative Producer), Sophie Evans (Senior Social Media Manager), and Georgie Dempsey (Influencer Specialist). We also celebrated the occasion by taking some portraits of our broader team to capture their energy and collaborative spirit!

What do you think this year’s theme of “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” means?

Kylie: This year’s theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” is a great opportunity to open the conversation around what constitutes an investment in women to drive equality. Too many companies will acknowledge women on the 8th of March with a morning tea, but fail to deliver on concrete initiatives that deliver tangible results and change. I’ve been really fortunate in the last year to have attended a program Hotglue invested in for women in leadership. It’s companies that think beyond the fluffy gimmicks for great social media content one day a year that deliver true investment in driving equality.

Penelope: The road to gender equality in the workplace seems more achievable than ever, however, with the latest gender pay gap data in Australia landing at a 21.7%, we still have work to do to create a more transparent and equal-opportunistic environment for women to truly thrive. To me, this year’s theme is about taking action, starting with the natural next step in this movement: investing more time, money and resources into establishing career pathways for women. This includes opportunities, mentorship, growth, learning tools, safe environments, and providing the necessary support and structure for women to succeed in equal measures to men. Progress is imminent, so putting this framework in place and focusing solely on equity in all aspects of business development will be the key to accelerate women and close the pay gap.

Sophie: While we have absolutely come a long way in equality conversation and action, there can often be "wtf?" moments around basic inequalities that still exist which cause a sense of hopelessness. With the advent of social media, we are seeing more opposing opinions become widespread. To me, this year's IWD theme highlights that the conversation cannot fizzle and die when there isn't a devastating news story to link it with. We need to maintain a sense of urgency and progress, actioning achievable goals, driving home education on topics like women's health, and making changes in a collaborative way.

Georgie: It means that we need to invest more in women to achieve gender equality. There has been progress, but this is about prioritising the speed to close the gap faster.

Which women inspire you the most and why?

Kylie: The women who inspire me the most are everyday working mums. Despite the challenges in taking time away from the workforce and the stigma around productivity (research actually shows that working mums are MORE productive!), they’re the most driven and dedicated people I have worked with, and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to have worked with some incredible working mums in the past and present who inspire and challenge me even more now that I have become one myself.

Penelope: A list of women that inspire me (in no particular order):

• The suffragettes for risking their lives to pioneer women’s financial freedom.

• My mom for succeeding within a framework that prioritised men.

• My sister for showing me ways to navigate challenging situations to achieve desired outcomes.

• Erykah Badu for never wavering in re-telling honest female-centric stories.

• Julia Gillard who will not be lectured by men (not now, not ever)

• Beyonce & Solange for shifting the narrative from critiquing women to celebrating women.

• My grandmother, who despite her experiences and limited education, still chose to support and uplift women in every way possible.

• Kate Bush & Sinead O’Connor for being controversial, brave and putting out bangers.

• Greta Thunberg for her incredible impact and resolved point of view from such a young age.

• My boss for always hustling while simultaneously taking the time to mentor, creating clearer paths for progression and supporting initiatives.

Sophie: There are many women in my life that I look up to — family, friends, and colleagues, as well as public figures. I resonate strongly with those who stay true to themselves despite others thinking differently; show kindness, strength, bravery and integrity in tough situations; and strive for goals to better their communities.

Georgie: I find mums the most inspiring women. I have so many incredible mums around me and I’m often in awe with how they do life. Juggling children, some their own businesses or work, maintaining a household, often operating on little sleep. Their job is never done. They are natural at everything maternal and everything is unconditional. Everyone says their mum is best and it’s because they are.

We also asked co-founder Lewis Hearn for his thoughts on International Women's Day from a business and industry perspective.

“As a business owner and manager in 2024, International Women's Day holds major significance, not just as a symbolic gesture but as a catalyst for positive change within our industry and more specifically media, marketing and advertising. Here's why:

Firstly, International Women's Day serves as a reminder of the indispensable contributions women make to our business and the broader community. From leadership roles to internships, the women of Hotglue bring unique perspectives, experience, skills, and talents that drive innovation and productivity, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

International Women's Day prompts me to reflect on the progress we've made at Hotglue to advance gender equality and identify areas where we can do better. Whether it's closing the gender pay gap, increasing representation in leadership positions, respectful workplace training, or implementing policies that support work-life balance, this day serves as a good checkpoint to assess our commitment and progress in creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Furthermore, International Women's Day provides an opportunity to amplify the voices of the women of Hotglue. It's a chance to showcase achievements, experience, and elevate their visibility in the industry. By doing so, we not only empower our people but also inspire future female leaders by providing an environment where everyone can thrive and be heard.

International Women's Day is not just another day on the calendar—it's a commitment to driving meaningful change. By recognising the importance of gender equality, celebrating the contributions of women within our business, and taking positive steps to promote inclusivity, and create a better working environment for the people that make our business great!”