This blog looks at how we at JFS view International Women’s Day and our team have been kind enough to share their thoughts on what is it to be a woman, womanhood in the workplace and who has influenced them in their lives.
Celebrating Strength, Recognising Challenges and Driving Change
International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than a celebration, (which originates from the early 1900s) it is a call to acknowledge the progress made, the challenges still faced, and the work that remains to create a truly equal society. At Joseph Flach & Sons, we recognise the resilience, ambition, and determination of women, both within our organisation and across the industries we serve. Our team have shared who they find inspirational, and advice for women starting their careers.
“Define yourself. Know who you are and be proud of it. Have the strength to challenge something if you feel it is not right and educate people. ‘Without change, there would be no butterflies”
What It Means to Be a Woman Today
To be a woman today means navigating a world of opportunity and expectation. Women are business leaders, scientists, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and everything in between. However despite great strides and progress, many continue to experience pressures that are not as commonly faced by their male counterparts. Whether it’s balancing career aspirations with motherhood, the expectation to ‘do it all,’ or the increasing societal push to maintain a certain appearance, the modern woman often finds herself under immense pressure.
“Looking at my social media feed, there’s an intense pressure to be smaller, happier, more successful, to have a pretty aesthetically pleasing home that’s always tidy, to journal, work out, cook everything from scratch and remember to biohack, listen to podcasts, go to therapy, eat my vegetables…sure some of those things are great, but people aren’t doing it all, everyday – who’s got the time for all that? and then I remember, that’s all just noise, it’s not real, making sure my children are happy and loved – that’s what matters, I’m eternally grateful I have a job I love, a safe home and food in my fridge – what we see on social media IS NOT REAL, I’m grateful for what I’ve got”
IWD is a time to celebrate –
“A time to reflect on how far women have come and the hurdles they have jumped to achieve what we have today.”
The Career and Motherhood Balancing Act
The reality of working motherhood is an ongoing struggle for many. Despite improvements in workplace equality, women are still more likely to take on the majority of caregiving responsibilities, often leading to career sacrifices, including career breaks, career breaks, maternity leave and parental leave, which can impact their professional growth. The burden of unpaid domestic labour disproportionately falls on women, as highlighted in Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez:
“The unpaid work done by women is equivalent to 13% of global GDP. If it were paid, it would be one of the biggest sectors of the economy.”
This inequality affects everything from career progression to financial security, yet it often goes unrecognised. At Joseph Flach & Sons, we strive to create an environment where women feel supported in both their professional and personal lives.
“I am very fortunate in that I have a great support system at home with my family and my extended family and also have a fantastic and supportive group of friends. In both cases we support each other and help each other to achieve goals in life, be it from achieving bucket list items to looking after family members. My advice is to build a strong community around you and to give back to those who love and support you in whatever way you can.”
“I believe in the UK a working mother accessing affordable childcare that fits around often challenging work shifts so they can work full time. The problems they face allowing for school closure days, if children sent home sick, teacher training days etc. Juggling work life and still having family time with their children.”
Health Pressures and the Supplement Industry
Beyond career and family life, women also face growing societal expectations regarding health and beauty. The supplement industry has seen a boom in products marketed specifically to women, such as, collagen, biotin, and other ‘anti-ageing’ solutions often promoted as essential for maintaining youthfulness. While many supplements have genuine benefits, there is an underlying pressure placed on women to meet unrealistic beauty standards. True wellness should be about feeling strong, healthy, and confident, not about meeting external expectations.
Fashion trends for women have included the boned corsets to sinch the waist, to women having cosmetic surgery to pump up or sculpt a figure deemed acceptable, there has been everything from the “thigh gap” to the popularity of the Brazilian butt lift. Thankfully there has been a rise in women training in what would traditionally be a male field.
As women age, their bone density naturally decreases, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures. This decline accelerates after menopause due to a drop in oestrogen, a hormone that plays a key role in maintaining bone strength. Reduced bone density can lead to brittle bones, increasing the risk of breaks from even minor falls or injuries.
Weight training is one of the most effective ways to slow or prevent bone loss because it places stress on the bones, stimulating bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. Strength training, particularly exercises that involve resistance or impact such as squats, lunges, and weightlifting, is recommended as it helps bones adapt by becoming denser and stronger.
Additionally, muscle strength gained through weight training improves balance and coordination, reducing the likelihood of falls in later life. Regular resistance exercise, combined with proper nutrition (including calcium and vitamin D), is crucial for maintaining bone health and overall mobility as women age. Hopefully the generational view that women should be smaller, take up less space and be “less” is gone, and future generations will feel empowered to be the best, be strong, take up room, be loud and be fabulous just as they are.
“Lifting weights (heavy weights!) and being the strongest and fittest I have ever been, while being a working Mum in my late 30s is more empowering to me than anything. I’m not working out for my bikini body, I’m training for my old lady body, so I can run around with grandchildren and climb mountains in my retirement”
Supporting Women at Joseph Flach & Sons
We take pride in fostering a workplace where women are valued, respected, and given opportunities to grow. Flexibility, inclusivity, and equal opportunities are at the heart of our approach. We believe that no one should have to choose between a fulfilling career and a family, and we work to ensure that our policies reflect this belief.
“Taking time to understand women’s needs in the workplace, support equal opportunities and challenge discrimination. Promote a safe and positive culture for everyone and support work-life balance needs of individuals.”
“Treating everyone as equal with the chance to train and better yourself.”
Our Work with Power for The People
Beyond our workplace, we are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women worldwide. Our collaboration with Power for The People helps provide resources, education, and business opportunities to women in disadvantaged communities. From ensuring access to fair trade supply chains to supporting female-led businesses, we recognise the importance of lifting others up.
The JFS team were asked which female led movement gave them inspiration –
“WASPI women standing up to the government over what they feel is right. Too often we sit back, complain but do not take action for what we feel is right or wrong.”
“Frida Kahlo. She suffered from polio as a child, had a horrific bus accident which resulted in a fractured spine, collarbone and ribs, and other detrimental injuries but she continued to focus heavily on her artwork despite being in a body cast using this to portray her feelings.”
“Amika George and the Free Periods campaign, which was all about raising awareness around period poverty and trying to get the government to provide free sanitary products in schools. The belief behind the campaign is that no young person should miss out on their education, irrespective of their gender. The campaign also highlighted that some of the people who were affected by period poverty were getting free school meals. I was astonished to find out that young women were missing school because they couldn’t afford sanitary products or were using alternatives such as slices of bread. It’s hard enough being a teenager, getting through school without having to deal with period poverty as well. I’ve never understood why you can get family planning products for free, but you have to pay for sanitary products.”
Looking Forward
International Women’s Day is not just a day, it’s a reminder of the continued work needed to support women in all aspects of life. At Joseph Flach & Sons, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment, both within our business and in the communities we serve.
Happy International Women’s Day, from all of us at JFS.
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