Marsh Africa celebrates the 60th anniversary of Women’s Month with a call to action to empower future leaders of industry
Marsh Africa, the global leader in insurance broking and risk management, recently celebrated Women’s Month by hosting a luncheon for its female clients who serve in leadership positions. The luncheon was in recognition of the successes, struggles and stories of the women in South Africa, who have jointly contributed to making the country what it is today.
“This year is the 60th anniversary of the historic event which took place on the 9th of August 1956. Over 200 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the extension of pass laws to women. Last year we established this very platform in order to bring together our female colleagues in corporate South Africa to reflect on how their own success can make a difference in developing young girls into future leaders of industry,” explains Salma Kidd, Head of Marketing and Communications for Marsh Africa.
The group of women that joined Marsh in 2015 at the Top Women’s Executive Luncheon raised over R30,000 which they used to buy sanitary towels for school girls at Alexandra High.
“By virtue of being multiple-role players who serve society as mothers, professionals and leaders, the women at the event shouldn’t only be proud of what they have achieved thus far, but also let the achievements of those who went before us inspire us to unlock our own strength and motivate us to make a difference in our communities and country,” adds Kidd.
The theme of this years’ luncheon was ‘50s vintage chic’, complete with hat and gloves. Guests were treated to a very powerful talk by Quinton Douman, MD of 212 Business Consulting on ‘The Great Ones’.
In addition, attendees were each asked to make a donation of R60 to signify the 60th anniversary, which will be used to purchase sanitary pads for disadvantaged school girls through the Caring4Girls Foundation. Media personality and Caring4Girls ambassador, Gerry Elsdon, who was master of ceremonies for the day, led an auction which again raised much needed funds for the same initiative.
Together with these ladies, Marsh Africa and the Caring4Girls foundation shared the same objective and that is to help empower the young women in our society by equipping them with basic needs such as sanitary towels and to stay in school to better their education, while maintaining their dignity.
Citing her own moving story, Elsdon explained how sanitary towels are a need and not a luxury for women of all ages. “It is unacceptable that around 20% of young girls in South African don’t have access to sanitary pads,” she said.
Marsh Africa supports Caring4Girls as a worthy cause aiming to help these schoolgirls not miss school through the lack of sanitary pads during their monthly menstruation cycles. While pads are important, the programme also focuses as much on creating awareness of the female reproductive system during adolescence. In addition, the programme also demystifies all menstrual related myths, tackles stigmas and gives young girls and women a safe place to discuss hitherto taboo subjects.
“Women of South Africa need to empower each other. Women-on-women sessions such as these are a primary way in which we can make a tangible difference in the lives of other women,” concludes Kidd.
