As a passionate campaigner for equality and women’s financial and workplace rights, I just love this year’s theme for IWD: Choose to Challenge!

The fabulous global initiative aims to remind us all that a “challenged world is an alert world.”

This is a great way to reinforce the message that: “ Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.”

As a financial adviser working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I’ve always flown the flag for women’s rights and tried to call out gender bias and inequality. These inequalities are particularly relevant in the financial services field where – even today – women can still find themselves facing pay and investment inequalities.

As part of my business plan – driven by my all-female team – I have a robust communications strategy aimed at empowerment and encouraging people to take control. This is directed at everybody but especially women who still often carry the chief responsibility for caring responsibilities – be it children or ageing relatives.

Throughout the year, I regularly post updates and articles, focused on women and the challenges we face. To help other women overcome these, I focus on providing clear, jargon-free and bespoke information – individually tailored for the way that we choose to live our lives.

I was particularly interested to read that the pandemic has reinforced our need for a “power team”. These teams might include family members, close friends, therapists, childminders or even your cleaner or gardener! These are the trusted people who provide support and make our lives easier and more enjoyable.

You probably have your own trusted team. Who’s on it and does it include a financial adviser?

Evidence shows there are many advantages to having a trusted professional, offering bespoke advice. Benefits can include greater confidence, borne of the belief that people have seized back control of their financial planning and the lives they want.

To read more, check out some recent SJP news articles which give a fascinating insight into women’s financial planning – including the role of a financial adviser!

You can also contact me for a free, no-obligation initial chat on International Women’s Day – or any other working day in the year!

Why women need a financial adviser in their power team (sjp.co.uk)

Women open more ISAs than men – but are they taking full advantage of them? (sjp.co.uk)

Coronavirus may have widened the gender pension gap (sjp.co.uk)

The inheritance challenge facing women in the sandwich generation (sjp.co.uk)

For more information about International Women’s Day see:

IWD: IWD 2021 campaign theme: #ChooseToChallenge (internationalwomensday.com)