Today we had another great business networking meeting. It was freezing outside, but we had a warm atmosphere!

At our meetings, we don't just give our usual 1-minute introductions, but we also have a so-called 'topical hotspot'. This is a few-minute 'tip' given by one of our members, usually on topics of interest to everyone.

At today's meeting, life coach and hypnotherapist Julia Burkin shared her thoughts with us:

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women all around the world. It is a time to reflect on progress made in terms of gender equality, but also to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. However, it's not uncommon to hear some men ask why there isn’t an International Men’s Day. Well, the truth is, there is!

International Men’s Day falls on 19 November and aims to celebrate the positive contributions that men make to society. The day also seeks to raise awareness of men’s well-being and highlight positive male role models. The theme for 2023 is “Zero Male Suicide,” which underscores the importance of stopping male suicide and promoting men’s mental health.

One of the key messages of International Men’s Day is the importance of teaching boys the values and responsibilities of being a man. It encourages men to be positive role models and to foster a culture of respect, compassion, and kindness towards others.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “We must become the change we seek.”

This applies to both men and women. If we want to create a fair and safe society where everyone has the opportunity to prosper, we must lead by example every day of the year. So while it’s great to celebrate International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day, let’s remember that equality is something we should strive for every day, in every aspect of our lives.