International Women’s Day embraces a global celebration marking achievements of women across all areas of society, including social, cultural, economic and political sectors.
We employ women bus drivers at all three APH-owned car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham airports – bucking the trend of this male-dominated role
Origins of the annual event can be traced back more than a century to gender equality campaigns such as the British Suffragettes and Suffragists along with the Socialist Party of America.
The first official International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, when it enjoyed support from more than a million citizens in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
As a truly worldwide homage to women’s achievements, the event’s website states International Women’s Day does not belong to any single organisation or individual, but to the “collective efforts of all who care about human rights”.
Although the event is predominantly about celebrating women’s achievements, it also offers a much-needed opportunity to raise awareness of increasing gender inequality across the globe.
The World Economic Forum estimated at current rates gender parity will not be achieved until 2133.
International Women’s Day and APH
Women, including Katy, above, hold the majority of management roles at APH
Today, APH is celebrating International Women’s Day by acknowledging the women who work for the company in a diverse collection of roles.
Our head office has a gender ratio of 1:1, with senior management roles filled almost exclusively by women. The APH accounting team is staffed entirely by woman, whereas the UK average is just 54 per cent.
We also employ women bus drivers at all three APH-owned car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham airports. We especially celebrate this example of diversity in a role often dominated by men.
We are extremely proud of APH’s culture of equal opportunity and employing staff based solely on qualifications and experience required for a job.
Sadly, not all women are afforded these basic rights. Along with celebrating achievements of our employees, we also hope to increase awareness of women who don’t enjoy such opportunity.
Get involved and help promote gender equality
The theme of the 2018 International Women’s Day campaign is #PressforProgress. Head over to the official International Women’s Day website to find out more and see if you can get involved in promoting equality worldwide internationalwomensday.com