International Women’s Day | Embracing Equity as A Woman

International Women’s Day | Embracing Equity as A Woman

International Women’s Day is a chance to embrace your inner hype girl, and celebrate everything glorious there is about being a woman, and being each other’s biggest cheerleaders. The theme for this year’s campaign is #EmbraceEquity. Typically equality between genders is what we all strive for and expect. If it happens in situations where historically it has not been achieved it feels like such a win, women’s pay being the topic of conversation hits the headlines frequently in Hollywood where there can be a colossal difference between the pay a man and woman received for a blockbuster film for example. The theme for this year however doesn’t focus on equality, where all strive to be given the same resources and support to achieve from the start. What is wrong with that? It sounds spot on right? If we are given all the same to start with what can possibly go wrong? This is where equity comes in, because we simply don’t all start the same as individuals despite what resources and support we have at our disposal. If you are reading this is it probably because you have a chronic illness or know someone that does. How can you possibly achieve the same potential having been given the same support and resources as someone who has a chronic illness where you are already disadvantaged as an individual to start off with? Your chances of having the same outcome, despite being given the same start isn’t possible in most circumstances. This is what International Women’s Day is shouting out about this year. Providing the right resources and support to all according to their circumstance so it indeed is possible to achieve the same outcome. Sounds obvious now you know right?

Being a woman with a stoma

Having an ostomy is truly a super power. You wouldn’t know someone has one most of the time. Typical reasons for having one puts you in the invisible illness category. You can stand in a queue for coffee and do your business without anyone around you knowing while the person without a bag behind you would be rushing off to find the nearest toilet! That is something I don’t miss at all! Having an ostomy comes with advantages and disadvantages of course, however being invisible to the outside world in your day to day life can mean part of your chronic illness that is disabling goes unnoticed leaving you having to fight and shout for support should you need it. Not everyone is that type of person. We don’t all have the strength to fight for what we need to have a good crack at this game we call life. Unfortunately, in most circumstances if you don’t ask you don’t get. When I had my son back in 2016, born with Hirschsprung’s Disease I wasn’t aware of benefit payments available to parent carers and individuals who have a disability. This resulted in thousands of pounds being unclaimed and they don’t do back payments. The stress and anxiety of money when you expect to return to work after maternity leave and don’t is a terrible strain on a household. To be armed with this knowledge from the start would allow parents the mental capacity to deal with the illness at hand much better.

When it is hospital based for appointments and treatments for a person with a chronic illness expenses are incurred that can not be avoided. Car parking, petrol, taking time off work, sick days caused through negative reactions to treatments, the list is endless. Factor these in which is just the tip of the iceberg and you can clearly see where we are at a disadvantage. For the issues highlighted, planning cheaper transport or getting lifts from family and friends can reduce the costs. Schedule appointments as best you can near your days off, or the weekend, so if you are left tired and weak it will reduce the time off you potentially need from work. Talk to your employer and be up front about your condition and what it entails and how it affects you. Employers legally can not discriminate because of your illness, however I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel companies worked around this sometimes. Go with your instinct and if the individuals in question are open and welcoming with a genuine interest in getting to know you as a person, when you are settled and ready open up. If they are not, it might not be  somewhere you want to work. This is where the equity debate is very prevalent. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. What would your life look like if this need was met fully? Would it be vastly different? What could you do to action this? Join the debate on all social platforms and share your ideas and views on your own if you feel comfortable too. One small voice makes for a little change, but lots of little voices together in the same place can move mountains. Never forget how powerful yours could be used in the right way.

Until next time, Rach @gutsy.mum x