Balancing the scales

International Women’s Day gives me a chance to honour them, to listen more closely to their stories, and to acknowledge what they have carried so that future generations could have more choice.

I also think about the women I work alongside every day. Leaders, organisers, listeners, problem-solvers and steady hands in moments of uncertainty.

They create warm, welcoming communities for residents while managing the realities of busy workplaces. And when the workday ends, many step straight into other roles — as mums, daughters, partners, carers and friends. There’s something deeply human in that constant shifting between responsibilities, often without pause, and without expecting recognition.

On a personal level, this day makes me reflect on my own life — being part of the workforce, being a parent, a mum and a daughter. As a daughter, I see the values and resilience passed down to me, often through actions rather than words. As a mum, I’m aware that my teenagers eyes are always watching, learning not from what I say, but from how I show up in the world. And as a working woman, I understand the juggle — the mental lists, the competing priorities, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re doing your best for the people who rely on you.

For me, celebrating International Women’s Day is not about perfection or pressure.

It’s about appreciation. It’s about saying thank you — to the women who paved the way, to those walking beside us, and to the younger ones still finding their voice. It’s a reminder to check in on one another, to offer encouragement, and to notice the small wins that don’t make headlines but make a real difference.

It’s a reminder to check in. To encourage. To notice the small wins that don’t make headlines but shape everyday life in meaningful ways.

What I value most is that it invites us to slow down. To acknowledge the fullness of women’s lives. The paid work. The unpaid work. The caregiving. The friendships. The resilience. None of it sits in neat compartments. It’s all woven together.

And perhaps that’s the point.

International Women’s Day isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s an awareness we can carry forward. In small acts of kindness. In making space for others to speak. In offering support before it’s asked for. In remembering that everyone is navigating their own version of the juggle.

In our communities. In our families. In our workplaces.

When we notice that, life feels a little more connected. A little more understood. And a lot more human.