Sunday Brunch featured soundbytes from the above ‘Sussex & Surrey Soapbox’ podcast episode…. to skip chapters click on the 3 horizontal lines (left in the above player). Have your say via WhatsApp (bottom right) or join the conversation in our Facebook Group HERE.
On International Women’s Day 2026, this roundtable with special guest Maggie Chen (Founder of GIC, www.girlsincharge.co.uk) goes far beyond celebration. Under this years IWD theme “Give to Gain,” the panel explores what equality really looks like — at work, at home, and in the everyday moments that shape confidence and opportunity.
From career-defining champions who opened doors, to uncomfortable debates about whether progress has gone “too far,” the conversation doesn’t shy away from tension. The group unpacks the gender pay gap, unconscious bias, networking advantages, and the often-invisible mental load women carry at home.
Stories of quiet advocacy — someone “sending your name into a room you’re not in” — reveal how small acts of generosity can transform careers and lives. At the same time, the discussion challenges partners, families, and workplaces to rethink roles, responsibility, and recognition.
Is equality about identical outcomes? Is feminism creating friction? Do men feel pushed out? And what does it truly mean to “give” in order to gain — as individuals, couples, and communities?
This is an honest, multi-generational conversation about respect, responsibility, and the role of partners in building a more balanced future.
10 Key Points:
1. International Women’s Day is more than a checkbox.
It should spark action that lasts all year, not just symbolic recognition.
2. “Give to Gain” isn’t just about money.
It’s about advocacy, visibility, time, mentorship, and emotional support.
3. Career-defining champions matter.
Having someone advocate for you in rooms you’re not in can change the trajectory of your life.
4. The gender pay gap is complex.
Legal equality exists, but cultural patterns — networking habits, caregiving roles, self-selection — still influence outcomes.
5. Networking advantages aren’t neutral.
Informal, after-work networking often benefits men more due to differing home responsibilities.
6. The invisible mental load is real.
Women frequently carry the cognitive burden of planning, anticipating, and managing household life — even when tasks are shared.
7. “How can I help?” can feel like another task.
Delegating help adds to the mental load; shared ownership works better than reactive assistance.
8. Equality conversations create discomfort — and that’s part of growth.
Some men feel blamed; some women feel overdue recognition. Honest dialogue is necessary.
9. Appreciation may matter as much as redistribution.
For many, feeling seen and valued is as important as dividing chores evenly.
10. Respect is the foundation.
Whether at work or at home, progress depends on mutual respect, partnership, and shared responsibility.
Roundtable Featuring: Maggie Chen (guest), Georgie Lucas, Micaela Leal, Jacq Inwood, Maureen Jones & James Tidy. Host: Clive Hilton.