International Women's Day 2023 – a fight for equity and children’s mental health
We’d like to share an International Women’s Day quote from our inspirational Founder, CEO and Clinical Director, Sue Bell OBE:
“Women have had to fight to be seen as leaders and yet in the helping professions, we are female-dominated. The value that our society puts on caring now needs to shift.”
This is a poignant statement worth taking a moment to reflect on.
Equity: The theme for International Women’s Day 2023
The focus and theme for today is ‘equity’. Sue’s quote considers the need to address pay and kudos within the helping profession. Are women compromising here, compared to other work industries? Why is it female dominated? There are historical gender stereotypes surrounding job roles, but this is changing. There should be no particular jobs just for women or men. There needs to be gender equity at work - an environment where all gender identities are supported to strive towards the career they want, without being judged, or haunted by a stereotype. The helping profession should be seen as a desirable place to work, regardless of gender.
The challenge of equity within mental health support for children
It is Sue, a caring, passionate, driven woman, that was inspired to do something about the equity gap faced by young people who have experienced childhood trauma or mental health issues. A commendable challenge that Sue committed herself to when she founded Kids Inspire as a charitable organisation. A charity that for 15 + years has supported thousands of children and young people.
Last year, Kids Inspire celebrated its 15th Birthday. Throughout the celebrations, Sue, the inspiring leader of a team made up of 100 caring people (largely women, but also men!), regularly spoke of courageous young people…
“Young people come to us with the most horrific stories, they have been trodden down, they have literally had their childhood stolen. They just need a person in their lives to love them, to care about them, and to believe in them, and that’s what we all do together. Whatever the role - employee, volunteer, supporter, funder, ambassador… and however long you have been part of Kids Inspire, you make a difference to the lives and futures of the children, young people, and families we support.”
In 2022, in recognition of the work delivered by Kids Inspire, Sue Bell OBE was presented with her OBE at an Investiture. An OBE is a national recognition of Sue’s services to charity, mental health, and education. To us at Kids Inspire, it also stands for our belief that learning social and emotional skills can help young people to succeed in school, work, and life - a return on Sue’s commitment to narrowing the equity gap 15 years ago.
Happy International Women’s Day 2023 to all the women out there who are fighting for something that they passionately believe in.
A quick look back at International Women’s Day 2022
Last year we spotlighted another female lead in the charity, our Assistant Clinical Director, Dimitra Theodoropoulou. Her story radiated determination, ambition, and a strong pride for the work that she does. Her International Women’s Day quote, included:
“What keeps me inspired working for Kids Inspire is how the charity embraces the healing possibilities of all the Creative Arts Therapies in supporting children who struggle with their mental health or who have been impacted by trauma.”
What will International Women’s Day 2024 bring to the mix?