Hi there, I'm Vaani VetriKo, co-founder of Neitiv, a food innovation company that promotes diversity and inclusivity in the food industry. As an ethnic minority woman, I have faced unique challenges throughout my life and career, but I have also found strength in my identity and experiences. That's why I'm writing this blog on International Women's Day and Neitiv’s 2nd Anniversary - to share my personal reasons for why this day is so important to me and for those who belong to the ethnic minority. Join me as I discuss why I believe it is critical that we recognise and uplift women of all backgrounds, especially those who face additional challenges, such as myself.
Here are five key reasons why celebrating International Women's Day is important to women like me.
1. Representation and Empowerment
International Women's Day honours the contributions and accomplishments of women from ethnic minority communities, giving them the voice and confidence to speak up for themselves.
2023 International Women's Day campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity. It is important to empower women by promoting gender equity as they start from different places, challenges, discrimination and social stigmas. So true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.
2. Visibility and Solidarity
The day fosters mutual understanding and empathy amongst various cultures while bringing attention to the difficulties encountered by ethnic minority women.
3. Role models
The day gives young women from ethnic minority communities role models and motivates them to achieve their ambitions.
If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, that would be to consider seeking mentorship from successful female entrepreneurs and female role models. Due to my upbringing in a traditional family, I have observed many hardworking women, but I lacked exposure to confident, independent women who can serve as strong role models. Looking back, I wish I had focused more on developing a confident and independent mindset, embracing challenges, questioning everything, and disregarding others' judgement.
4. Promotion of Inclusion and Equality
International Women's Day celebrations can spur advocacy efforts to address problems affecting women from ethnic minority communities and advance inclusion and equality.
5. Intersectionality
Celebrating International Women's Day from the viewpoint of an ethnic minority highlights the importance of an intersectional approach to feminism that addresses the particular difficulties faced by women from various backgrounds. This approach recognises how race, ethnicity, and other aspects of an individual's identity shape the experiences of women.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. Let's embrace equity today and always!
Neitiv empowers me to be the champion of change. I’m confident it will empower more women from diverse communities to join the alcohol or beverage industry.
VAANI VETRIKO
I am a simple person who wants to live a simple life while spreading positivity by helping people around the world. I believe empowerment, mindfulness and sustainability are interconnected to create an equal, peaceful and prosperous world. I hope each of us can try to be a little bit ethical, so that the world will be a better place to live.
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Empowerment | Mindfulness | Sustainability
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