IWD Unfiltered: Women share what really drives their success

Every workplace should support women and their achievements. But biases, discrimination and stereotypes still stand in the way of true equality – both at work and beyond.  

That's why International Women's Day (IWD) matters. It's more than just a date in the calendar; it's a movement pushing for real change – tackling workplace discrimination, fighting for reproductive rights and demanding an end to violence against women.  

And yet, according to the World Economic Forum, we're still 5 generations away from full gender equality.  

IWD is a powerful reminder of how far we've come, but the work doesn't stop in March. Gender equality needs to be a priority all year round – and we all have a part to play. 

To mark this important day, we asked women across Perkbox | Vivup to share the initiatives that have shaped their careers and helped accelerate change. Their insights highlight what truly makes a difference for women in the workplace – because progress starts with action.

 

The vital role of mentorship 

Mentorship and training programmes give women the opportunities they deserve, helping to accelerate their careers and break down barriers. With access to a strong support network, women can share skills, experiences and advice while keeping the ladder down for the next generation to climb.

“The Leadership Programme and mentorship support at Perkbox | Vivup have been instrumental in my growth as a female leader. These initiatives helped me gain invaluable skills, confidence and insights that have empowered me to lead with greater effectiveness and authenticity.

The organisation’s strong female allyship has provided me with a supportive network, inspiring me to strive for excellence and fostering a sense of belonging. This environment not only helps me feel supported but also gives me role models to aspire to.”

Sara Horne, Compliance, Risk & Quality Manager at Perkbox | Vivup

 

“Mentorship has made a significant, lasting impact on my career. I was fortunate to find a female mentor early on who taught me an important lesson: you don't have to sacrifice femininity to succeed. Too often, women feel the need to present an 'edited' version of themselves to be seen as professionals, but this idea is unsustainable, disempowering and downright wrong.

Through owning our experiences and identities, we can build diversity, break stereotypes and pave the way for the next generation of women. Without my mentor, I may never have realised this – but it continues to shape my approach to personal and professional growth to this day.”

Gina Richard, Marketing Manager at Perkbox | Vivup

 

Empowering women with flexibility

Flexible working can benefit everyone, but for women, it's often a lifeline. The right policies open up more opportunities, support career progression and make it easier to balance life and work – all of which are key to driving real change.

“Flexible working helped me massively when members of my family and I were going through cancer diagnosis and treatment.  I could work from home to protect us during treatment, and I could attend appointments and work around them. That meant I didn’t have to give up my ‘normal’ life, which I felt very strongly about.

I felt fully supported, I was fully trusted, and it made the whole situation so much easier to manage.  I felt like when I had lost a lot of control of my health, I was given the gift of control back in my work life. The positive impact of this on my mental health was immeasurable.”

Sarah Mannion, Group Client Success Director at Perkbox | Vivup

 

“Remote working has been transformative for me, living in a different country from my GRC team and colleagues. It has provided the flexibility to better manage my personal life, enhancing my work-life balance. It has also broadened my cultural experience and global perspective by allowing me to connect with colleagues via Teams. Lastly, it has been crucial for my mental health, as I can now start my day with a peaceful morning walk instead of a stressful commute.” 

Paula Thompson, Governance, Risk & Compliance Officer at Perkbox | Vivup

 

Driving change from leadership down 

Leading by example is one of the most effective ways to action change. When leaders create a supportive, inclusive space and truly back equality, it helps women step up and thrive.

“As a leader, I try to push for equality with the everyday choices I make. That might mean giving someone a chance in my team who may not meet all the criteria on the job spec, but who will work hard and add to our diverse culture. Or it could be publicly celebrating achievements across the business to showcase people who I think deserve a little recognition.

I've also grown in confidence over the years to speak up when I think something isn't fair. If a woman colleague is spoken over in meetings, I'll happily remind people that someone else was talking – I am not sure I would have had the confidence to do that earlier in my career. It's these small things that make a huge difference to equality. Yes, policies and fair recruitment practises are a start, but we can all be more active in making the day-to-day working environment as equitable as possible for all.”

Pippa Van Praagh, Director of Strategic Projects at Perkbox | Vivup

 

"Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated my career to helping companies support their working parents and, importantly, to preventing the loss of female talent during the parental transition. While I am pleased to see improvements, there is still much work to be done. A recent report indicated that it could take five generations, or 135 years, to achieve gender parity worldwide. 

As the daughter of a working mother and the mother of two daughters, International Women's Day is a significant reminder that our journey is far from over."

Venetia Leigh, Wellbeing Director at Perkbox | Vivup

 

Sharing stories  

Talking about experiences – both good and bad – helps to shine a light on the challenges women still face as we push for true gender equality.

“Throughout my 30-year career, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of women's experiences in the workplace – from the male-dominated music industry where I began to today's more inclusive yet still imperfect landscape. 

Early in my career, I made the difficult decision to turn down my dream job in the music industry due to its overwhelming masculine culture. Instead, I found myself in PR – a field where women had established stronger footholds – and there, I finally found my voice. I was fortunate to work alongside an inspiring group of women who profoundly shaped my journey. My pro bono work with a prominent women’s domestic violence charity was particularly transformative. The CEO imparted a lesson I carry to this day: women must always look out for each other and "Speak Loudly!"  

On the flip side, I was demoted simply for becoming pregnant – a stark reminder of how motherhood was once viewed as incompatible with professional growth. Without today's flexible working options that Perkbox | Vivup provide, I had no choice but to pursue freelance work while my family was young.  

As we face new challenges, including potential rollbacks in corporate DEI efforts under the Trump administration, I believe women must stand together more strongly than ever. An inclusive environment is one where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of penalty or prejudice – where diversity is seen as the asset it truly is, rather than an obligation to fulfil. 

While we've made significant progress over these three decades, the journey toward genuine equality remains incomplete. The lesson I've learned most profoundly is that we cannot afford to be silent. We must maintain DEI momentum, push back against climates of fear and continue to speak loudly and work together across all dimensions of identity. 

Our collective voice is our greatest strength.”

 Edel Brittle, Head of Marketing Communications at Perkbox | Vivup