By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Angela Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Dress for Success Dublin
Communicorp Media, One4all and Business & Finance are among the businesses joining forces to support Dress for Success Dublin’s International Women’s Day 2021 campaign
Communicorp Media, One4all and Business & Finance are among the businesses joining forces to support Dress for Success Dublin’s International Women’s Day 2021 campaign, which is aimed at combatting the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women across Ireland.
The Dress for Success Dublin (DfSD) charity – which supports women’s economic independence and campaigns for gender equality in the workplace – launched its 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD) campaign today, 10th February. The campaign will see organisations across Ireland raising funds on 8th March 2021 to support the delivery of employment and career services to support women into sustainable employment.
In addition to the organisations already on board for the IWD campaign, DfSD is calling on other workplaces across Ireland to join the campaign.
Fundraising Activities
Supporters of the campaign, which also include international law firm Simmons & Simmons and design agency Tap Creations, are fundraising through:
- Running internal fundraising events with their staff inviting them to Donate their Commute to help others on their journey to economic independence;
- Encouraging staff to donate the cost of their daily or weekly commute, and matching the total; or
- Partnering with DfSD on a flagship national IWD event in conjunction with Business and Finance and One4all taking place on Monday, 8th March.
Full details or the partnership options are available on the DfSD website.
Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Women
Commenting on the campaign’s launch today, Sonya Lennon, designer, broadcaster and founder of Dress for Success Dublin, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted all people equally. Extensive research from organisations such as the McKinsey Global Institute and the European Institute for Gender Equality has demonstrated the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women. This ranges from higher rates of job losses to the increasing burden of unpaid care, which is disproportionately carried by women. In fact, McKinsey & Co. estimate that women’s jobs are 19 per cent more at risk in the current climate. We need to act to support women back into sustainable, quality employment as a priority.
“We are delighted to have so many great companies joining our campaign already. The range of services that Dress for Success Dublin provides are essential to supporting our clients into jobs – good, sustainable jobs. But to continue to provide this vital support, we need organisations to step up and help us support women who are looking for work and to help change the landscape so they can attend workshops, and are supported to have the confidence and skills to get the right opportunities. This is what our International Women’s Day partners are doing. I’m calling on all who wish to mark the day in a truly meaningful way to get in touch to discuss how you can support our work while celebrating IWD with your staff and teams.”
Also commenting on the launch Aoife Davey, Senior Marketing Director for One4all, said: “We’re really excited to be supporting Dress for Success Dublin through raising awareness and practical discussions at the International Women’s Day event on diversity. It is only through continued open conversations that women within the workplace will feel empowered to strive for, and to feel supported, to reach their full potential.”
Further information on the campaign and partnership packages is available at: www.dressforsuccessdublin.org/campaigns/international-womens-day.
