International Women’s Day is back on the 8th March 2022 and celebrates women across the world. This year the theme is #BreakTheBias.

We’ve got so many amazing women across Norfolk doing incredible things so we’re celebrating them across the month of March. We’ve also got some inspirational women who work within Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, and we're shining the light on them too.

We asked Norfolk Chamber Member, Juliette maxam a few questions...

Why is supporting women in business so important?

Women still face many obstacles in their careers - whether it be the unequal distribution of caring responsibilities or unconscious bias in the work place. In many ways the pandemic has set back the drive towards equality. There are so many talented and well-qualified women in the workforce and they should be supported to reach their goals and often they need more support than men, due to obstacles specific to women.

What do you or your business do to support women in your teams?

Women are still in the minority in the railway but Greater Anglia places great value on diversity and inclusion and is looking to redress the balance, with an employee support group which runs bitesize webinars on women's development and internal recruitment events aimed at encouraging women to become train drivers, among other measures.

What skills do you feel are the biggest asset that women have in the workplace?

I'm not sure that women's skills are any different to men's, but they're not always given equal opportunity to use them.

What challenges do women face in the workplace that are different to men?

Unconscious bias which starts from kindergarten upwards. Women often have to try harder and behave differently to achieve the same level of success as men.

What advice would you give to male colleagues to support women in the workplace?

Ask yourself "Would you say that to a male colleague?", "Would you think that of a male colleague?", 

What top tips would you give your younger self when it comes to business?

Be confident. Realise you don't have to be perfect. Don't put yourself down. Don't be afraid to stick up for yourself.

* My views here are personal and not those of Greater Anglia.