International Women's Day 2020 - what it means to our team

This Sunday, 8th March, is International Women's Day - a celebration of women's contributions to the world, both inside and outside the workplace. It is an opportunity to reflect on the great strides made in creating a more gender-equal society, alongside sharpening the focus on the important work that still needs to be done.

International Women's Day has been taking place annually for well over a century, with the first gathering held in 1911 supported by over a million people.

The theme for International Women's Day this year is #EachforEqual. The tagline emphasises that it's up to each of us, individually, to play our part in shaping the world to become the fair and equal place we want it to be.

In the run up to the big day, we caught up with four women in various roles across the wider Manchester Airport team.

As well as asking them to give us their best #EachForEqual pose, we also quizzed them on their thoughts about International Women's Day - what it means to them, and why the themes behind it are such a key part of the working culture here at Manchester Airport.

Tricia Williams - Chief Customer Officer

International Women's Day is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on how far women have come, in terms of business particularly, but also some of the challenges that face women.

It prompts us to listen to the stories of both men and women, and work hard to ensure we can enable our female talent to flourish within our business, which is ultimately what we want.

Hayley Shields - Airport Management Graduate

International Women's Day is all about empowering women to go for the opportunities they want to go for.

It's about having the self-confidence to go for those opportunities and to know that there's not a limit to what you can achieve as a woman.

Kate Maslak - Head of Retail Transformation (Manchester Airport Transformation Programme)

To me, International Women's Day means the celebration of women and everything we've achieved over time.

It is encompassed in the values that International Women's Day is formulated around - respect, equality and transparency. Those qualities are integral to everything we do at MAG on a daily basis.

Wendy Sinfield - Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

International Women's Day is, for me, a celebration that women have absolutely the same place in the workplace and in society as their male counterparts. We are all absolutely equal.

I think it's very important to celebrate that. If you look back at the early 1900s, we didn't even have the vote and now, we've had two female Prime Ministers. I think it's absolutely amazing that we have got to this place.

International Women's Day is not the only occasion this month on which we will be celebrating the achievements of talented women in the workplace. On Monday 16 March, MAG will once again be supporting the Northern Power Women's Awards in Manchester, which showcase role models and celebrate the many different ways women contribute to a thriving Northern Powerhouse.

On the day itself, the airport is encouraging staff and guests alike to get involved and show their support by posting selfies on social media with the #EachforEqual pose, or holding a selfie card, available through the International Women's Day website.

Let's all be #EachforEqual.