Today is International Women's Day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. 

The future for women in Central Otago looks bright as working flexibly becomes the norm and more career paths are more available to women, compared with what their mothers and grandmothers had.

The Central App talked to three Central Otago women about their thoughts on the theme of this years International Women’s Day (IWD) #BreakTheBias, and what they hoped for the next generation of women in our area.

The Central App director Vicki McLean said the day was about advocating for equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.

“I had a media manager in a rural town of Australia tell my boss once; ‘We can't have a woman running seminars to small business here, they just won't take her seriously - especially with a Kiwi accent.’

“Wow, that was only 10 years ago.

"I feel that New Zealand has been ahead of Australia for some time . . . I never really noticed my gender working in media until I moved to Sydney.”

Vicki said women have become more equal since they have been driving change, and that's why she questions anyone who comments on being a woman.

“More women are graduating with degrees and trades in fields of interest to them than ever before. It's important we support our younger generation to stay in their lane, do what they love, and not compare themselves to someone else's journey"  

Vicki said it's a shame we still need to talk about gender and have to check that someone isn't paid less or discriminated just because of their sex.

She said If you are working for or with someone who discriminates or doesn't hear you because of your gender, age, race or sexuality - find a new place to work and let them know why you're leaving.

HR business partner Cherilyn Walthew, of EASI NZ, said she was seeing more women moving into leadership and entrepreneurial roles now that Covid-19 had proved many roles could be done from home with flexible hours.

"As Central Otago is a beautiful place to live and now work, we will see more and more talented women working remotely.

"I’m in business because the job I wanted didn’t exist so, I created it.

"Being in business for myself gives me greater control over my career and professional development that isn’t conflicted by my gender.

"Equality is all about being the right person for the job and as the gender model explodes, now is the time to embrace the people who have the skills and values that you need for your business, whoever they are."

Central Otago District Council communications support Mary-Jo Tohill believed there was still room for some improvement, particularly with technology.

"[I am] Really fortunate at the Council in that we have a very strong IT base, and you have people to ask, but [I am] aware that not all women have that opportunity in their workspace, and it would be good for them to be given time to take advantage of opportunities and courses as part of their personal development, and that this be recognised by their employer.

"Women are really good at this stuff because they tend to be multi-taskers, so [I] would like to see them grow in this area, whether it be on farm, in office or at home."

Central Otago offers career opportunities in many varied sectors such as farming, horticulture, construction, tourism and small business development.

Employment for women across New Zealand is looking healthy as job numbers are rising and unemployment figures are at record lows.

In the December 2021 quarter numbers by Statistics New Zealand, 64.5 percent of women were employed. 

In actual terms from the September 2020 quarter to the September 2021 quarter the number of filled job for women in New Zealand rose by 3.6% (37,210 jobs). 

National Association of Women in Construction president Rebecca Hodges crosses her arms to show solidarity for this years campaign. PHOTO: NAWIC supplied.

This year IWD organisers are encouraging people to cross their arms to show solidarity and share their #BreakTheBias images on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.

Marked annually on March 8, International Women's Day (IWD) aims to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about women's equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraise for female-focused charities. 

International Women’s Day has been celebrated for more than a century with the first gathering taking place in 1911. 

For more about the day see https://www.internationalwomensday.com.