Today is International Women’s Day (IWD). Every year on IWD, millions of people around the world join together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality and equity. The movement dates back to the first IWD gathering in the early 20th century, and today, it belongs to all groups collectively, everywhere.1 Around the world, it is a day when women’s achievements are recognised without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political.2
Inspiring Inclusion
This year’s IWD theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, with the objective of creating a more inclusive world for women. At Kyowa Kirin, we will celebrate IWD as one global team because we are stronger together. Guided by our Core values, Kabegoe (meaning ‘overcoming barriers’) approach and our welcoming culture, we all have the responsibility to ‘leap over walls’ to grow, take ownership, and break down barriers to make Kyowa Kirin─and the world around us─more inclusive. By embracing our diversity and creating an inclusive culture, I believe we are more innovative, creative and better problem solvers for the patients and communities we serve around the world.
Global Corporate Planning Head
Forging a Future of Gender Equity and Inclusion for All
Women around the world have more opportunities than ever, and while workplace flexibility is driving work-life balance, there is still more action society needs to take towards gender equity. This is a theme that our Kyowa Kirin leaders discussed yesterday during a panel event with representatives from across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific with many employees participating online from all over the world. The discussions were insightful and inspirational, leaving us all plenty to think about as we all strive for women’s empowerment and equity.
The panel began with an inspirational message from a special guest: Dr. Marina Barandun, a Specialist in Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and a volunteer at Reconstructing Women International
. Dr. Barandun spoke about the incredible work of the not-for-profit organisation in addressing the medical needs of women battling disfiguring injuries. She also shared her thoughts on gender equity and career experiences to date in the male-dominated industry of reconstructive surgery.
On IWD and every day, we all strive to Inspire Inclusion where we can collaborate with our colleagues, friends, and family, so that we can all grow collectively and make more people smile.
Shoko Itagaki
Global Corporate Planning Head
- 1.International Women’s Day. About International Women’s Day. Available at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About Last accessed February 2024.
- 2.United Nations. International Women’s Day 8 March. Available at https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background Last accessed February 2024.
More Kyowa Kirin "People & Culture" Stories
Rare Disease Day 2024: Employees Around the World Show They Care
Patients | November 12, 2024
Kyowa Kirin Hosted Booth at Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024 for a Second Year in a Row: Initiatives for Accelerating DE&I and the Ideal State a Company Should Strive to Be (Part One)
People & Culture | October 15, 2024
Kyowa Kirin Hosted Booth at Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024 for a Second Year in a Row: Initiatives for Accelerating DE&I and the Ideal State a Company Should Strive to Be (Part Two)
People & Culture | October 15, 2024
Strengthening our training framework to tackle the biopharmaceutical engineer shortage
People & Culture | September 20, 2024
Highlighting Kyowa Kirin's initiatives across regions for PRIDE MONTH 2024
People & Culture | September 13, 2024
Bio Adventure: Kyowa Kirin’s works with local communities on project to foster future scientists
People & Culture | August 9, 2024
PRIDE MONTH Message from Jeremy Morgan, President, Kyowa Kirin International plc (EMEA region)
People & Culture | July 5, 2024
Kyowa Kirin launches the CTCL Global Care Collaborative’s Time to Act global consensus statement
Patients | May 13, 2024
Kyowa Kirin Global Corporate Planning Head Shoko Itagaki’s Message for International Women's Day
People & Culture | March 8, 2024
Kyowa Kirin celebrates Rare Disease Day 2024 across the world
Patients | February 9, 2024
Kyowa Kirin CEO Miyamoto’s New Year Message
Growth | January 9, 2024
Kyowa Kirin Chief International Business Officer Abdul Mullick’s Message on UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Sustainability | December 1, 2023
Kyowa Kirin hosted a booth for the first time at the Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2023 [Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion]
People & Culture | November 9, 2023
Our Stable Supply of High-quality Pharmaceuticals
Sustainability | September 20, 2023
Provide pharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs - A Conversation with Kyowa Kirin’s R&D Executives
Innovation | August 22, 2023
Ensure a Thriving Global Environment for Future Generations
Sustainability | July 28, 2023
“Menstruation” and “fertility treatment” felt like taboo subjects in the workplace - Why be open about issues unique to women? PartⅡ
People & Culture | June 9, 2023
How Kyowa Kirin Celebrated Rare Disease Day 2023 around The World
Patients | May 18, 2023
“Menstruation” and “fertility treatment” felt like taboo subjects in the workplace - Why be open about issues unique to women? PartⅠ
People & Culture | April 25, 2023
Kyowa Kirin CEO Miyamoto’s Message on Rare Disease Day
Patients | February 28, 2023
Promoting patient advocacy and nurturing patient-centric care: Interview with Kyowa Kirin North America
Patients | February 14, 2023
Celebrating another year of diverse initiatives around the world: RDD 2022 in EMEA
Patients | January 24, 2023
Celebrating another year of diverse initiatives around the world: RDD 2022 in North America
Patients | December 15, 2022
Celebrating another year of diverse initiatives around the world: RDD 2022 in Asia Pacific
Patients | November 21, 2022
Celebrating another year of diverse initiatives around the world: RDD 2022 in Japan
Patients | October 20, 2022
Providing high-quality pharmaceuticals to patients around the world
Sustainability | September 22, 2022
Striving to create life-changing “Only-one value” that brings smiles to patients
Innovation | July 25, 2022
Kyowa Kirin International: It's Time to Shine A Light on XLH
Patients | June 27, 2022
Kyowa Kirin CEO Miyamoto’s Message on Pride Month
People & Culture | June 9, 2022
Kyowa Kirin International Celebrates the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities in EMEA
People & Culture | January 20, 2022
Kyowa Kirin International: Around the world challenge
People & Culture | December 17, 2021
Kyowa Kirin North America: Honoring The Caregiver, Everyday Heroes, During National Family Caregivers Month
Patients | November 19, 2021
Kyowa Kirin's Effort to Realize a Sustainable Society
Sustainability | October 11, 2021
Our Financial Strategy for Creating Life-changing Value
Growth | September 9, 2021
Changes in society caused by COVID-19 and the impact on Kyowa Kirin
Growth | August 19, 2021
Bio Adventure Hands-On Experience Sessions: Become a drug discovery researcher During Your Summer Break
Sustainability | July 27, 2021
AMGEN AND KYOWA KIRIN TO JOINTLY DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE KHK4083, A PHASE 3-READY, POTENTIAL FIRST-IN-CLASS TREATMENT FOR ATOPIC DERMATITIS
News Release | June 1, 2021
MEI Pharma and Kyowa Kirin Announce New Clinical Data on Zandelisib at American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
News Release | May 20, 2021
White Paper on the unrecognized burden of XLH in adults in Europe
Patients | July 13, 2020
Empowering Children to Ask "Why?": Tohoku University Science Campus Hands-On Science Lessons (First Half)
People & Culture | March 5, 2020
Empowering Children to Ask "Why?": Tohoku University Science Campus Hands-On Science Lessons (Second Half)
People & Culture | March 5, 2020
“Delivering smiles with sports” Creating an inclusive society through table tennis
Sustainability | January 14, 2020
Bio Adventure*: Kyowa Kirin Invites Children to a Science Adventure
People & Culture | July 3, 2019
