BPW UK

If you read my January in Review post last month then you'll have seen that on the 15th and then again on the 31st, I took part in a public speaking competition run by an organisation called BPW UK. I am really grateful to have been able to participate in this as I feel like the whole experience taught me a lot, and it introduced me to BPW and what they do, so I decided to write a post about them today!

(A picture of me with my lovely teammates last Saturday! My role was the Expresser of Thanks and I actually ended up winning an award for being an Outstanding Participant!)

BPW stands for Business and Professional Women and the purpose of the organisation is to inspire and support women all around the world to achieve their full potential. They do this by meeting women locally, campaigning internationally and even doing work with the UN, all whilst keeping a close-knit community of friends!

In fact, one of the lovely ladies that I was talking to last week had been to a conference with the UNIFEM many years ago in New York and was being given the opportunity to go back again this year for 9 days. She's travelled all over the world to promote the cause of BPW and campaigning for women's rights, which I think is so honourable!

The public speaking competition that I participated in was in order to encourage young people to challenge issues that are going on in the world and also to provide an opportunity for us to experience a 'public meeting' style of format, where our ideas will be questioned by others who may think differently to us. Personally, I believe being able to speak publicly is one of the most vital skills that a young person can have when they're just beginning their careers, so I'm glad that they encourage that ability.

As an international organisation, their aims are to advocate for women to have financial independence, equal economic, political and civil rights through the use of world-wide networking. Also, on a more local scale, they encourage women here in the UK to realise their potential by providing a support network and showing them that they are as equally capable as men are.

They encourage companies to follow 7 Women's Empowerment Principles, which are:

1. Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.

2. Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non discrimination.

3. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers

4. Promote education, training and professional development for women.

5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women.

6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy.

7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

I think this organisation and its 28,000 members have a really admirable cause and deserve a lot more recognition for the work that they are doing! I hope that one day, when I'm a bit older, more professional and working in a business, that I am able to join the BPW UK and help them in their cause!

Do you know of any organisations who deserve more recognition for their good work? Have you ever heard of BPW UK before? Let me know!