Today is International Women’s Day (IWD). Every year on IWD, millions of people around the world join together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality and equity. The movement dates back to the first IWD gathering in the early 20th century, and today, it belongs to all groups collectively, everywhere.1 Around the world, it is a day when women’s achievements are recognised without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political.2
Inspiring Inclusion
This year’s IWD theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, with the objective of creating a more inclusive world for women. At Kyowa Kirin, we will celebrate IWD as one global team because we are stronger together. Guided by our Core values, Kabegoe (meaning ‘overcoming barriers’) approach and our welcoming culture, we all have the responsibility to ‘leap over walls’ to grow, take ownership, and break down barriers to make Kyowa Kirin─and the world around us─more inclusive. By embracing our diversity and creating an inclusive culture, I believe we are more innovative, creative and better problem solvers for the patients and communities we serve around the world.
Global Corporate Planning Head
Forging a Future of Gender Equity and Inclusion for All
Women around the world have more opportunities than ever, and while workplace flexibility is driving work-life balance, there is still more action society needs to take towards gender equity. This is a theme that our Kyowa Kirin leaders discussed yesterday during a panel event with representatives from across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific with many employees participating online from all over the world. The discussions were insightful and inspirational, leaving us all plenty to think about as we all strive for women’s empowerment and equity.
The panel began with an inspirational message from a special guest: Dr. Marina Barandun, a Specialist in Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and a volunteer at Reconstructing Women International
. Dr. Barandun spoke about the incredible work of the not-for-profit organisation in addressing the medical needs of women battling disfiguring injuries. She also shared her thoughts on gender equity and career experiences to date in the male-dominated industry of reconstructive surgery.
On IWD and every day, we all strive to Inspire Inclusion where we can collaborate with our colleagues, friends, and family, so that we can all grow collectively and make more people smile.
Shoko Itagaki
Global Corporate Planning Head
- 1.International Women’s Day. About International Women’s Day. Available at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About Last accessed February 2024.
- 2.United Nations. International Women’s Day 8 March. Available at https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background Last accessed February 2024.
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