Spreading their voices: SEISMEC joins International Women’s Day
Inspired by this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, we are shedding light on female contributions to the industrial revolution.
SEISMEC is leading the way towards a new era of Industry 5.0, blending cutting-edge technology with a human-centered approach. As we pilot the shift towards human centricity in Industry 5.0, we also advocate for equal rights and job opportunities for women.
The Industrial Revolution offered women new employment opportunities, but they faced significant inequality. Despite sometimes performing the same dangerous jobs as men, such as in mining, women were consistently paid less and subjected to hazardous working conditions.
The inequalities of the Industrial Revolution sparked the initial feminist movements, primarily focused on suffrage. Women formed organisations focused on education, empowerment, and social reform. Groups like suffrage societies, unions, and educational associations became crucial platforms for women to advocate for their rights and drive positive change, significantly advancing women’s status and influencing social progress.
But where are we now?
Analysing data from “Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report by McKinsey & Company”, we observe that women face ongoing challenges at the start of their career, with lower rates of hire for entry-level positions, resulting in underrepresentation from the very beginning. Even if it is observed that some progress has been made for women, much work is still needed to achieve a truly inclusive and equitable workplace.
So here we are, celebrating and embracing this year’s theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The SEISMEC project is committed to delivering impactful results, fighting for equality and an industrial landscape that is built around high-quality and sustainable jobs, prioritising overall worker security and satisfaction.
With information from:
Women’s Role in the Industrial Revolution: From Factory Workers to Reformers
From family to factory: women’s lives during the Industrial Revolution
Women in the workplace 2024: The 10th Anniversary report
