The 8^th March 2023 is International Women’s Day (IWD), a day to celebrate the achievements of women and think about what action we can take to drive gender parity and make the world a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place.

“DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”

This year, the United Nations (UN) is championing the role of technology and digital education in improving social equity in its IWD celebrations.

Digital technology is a great tool that improves access to training and work for women and other under-represented groups. The option for flexibility was forcefully trialled during the pandemic, with online platforms taking the place of classrooms, boardrooms and offices. This approach has been adopted by many organisations post-pandemic, providing greater freedom to employees to manage the challenges of life alongside re-training or a fulfilling career.

Online learning adds that element of flexibility, opening up training opportunities for women and others with caring responsibilities, or people who need to earn while they learn.

Many aspects of our qualifications can be delivered in this way, something that came into its own during lockdowns. These tools, plus other flexible approaches, such as evening and weekend courses, open up training to a much broader range of people.

What UN Women says…

“…digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups. From gender-responsive digital learning to tech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparity and inequality.  

“This 8 March, we are calling on governments, activists and the private sector alike to power on in their efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive and more equitable. Facing a multiplicity of global crises, we have a chance to create a better future—not just for women and girls, but for all humanity and all life on Earth.”

LCL Awards Inclusivity Charter

We developed our Inclusivity Charter to help approved centres demonstrate the steps they are taking facilities more welcoming and accessible to trainees of all genders and backgrounds.

The Charter provides a framework of core beliefs, such as treating people with respect and considering the needs of all learners to ensure equity, not just equality. Centres can use the framework to actively work towards providing inclusive training – and ultimately, get as many people through the door as possible!

Join LCL Awards Inclusivity Charter this International Women’s Day!

To find out more about the LCL Awards Inclusivity Charter, including core values, case studies and resources, click here.

If you are ready to sign up to the Charter, please contact Tracy Harker: tracy.harker@lclawards.co.uk