As I reflect on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, – #ChooseToChallenge – I think about the importance of seeking and providing opportunities for growth and leadership among the people I work with. To me, #ChooseToChallenge not only means being continuously mindful of the need to speak up and take action for gender equality, but it also means actively cultivating that shared mindset and expectation of equal opportunity.

We must lift each other up, celebrate our achievements, create inclusive workplaces, and raise awareness for both conscious and unconscious bias. We must #ChoosetoChallenge ourselves and others to take action on gender equality, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.

We ultimately can’t build technology for all people without the differing perspectives and experiences informing the development, implementation, and utilisation of those platforms. Teams that are made up of individuals with diverse skillsets, and varying viewpoints deliver the best solutions that, in turn, drive the greatest outcomes. Representation matters. It’s incumbent upon every organisation to take action for equality today.