On the day to celebrate the equality of women, Gaia Skincare founder Diane Nettleton takes us through her thoughts and beliefs as we mark such a significant day.
Last year on International Women’s Day I was in Manchester celebrating my sister’s birthday. All the women in the family gathered round the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst for a photograph. She was born in Moss Side Manchester and her statue stands proudly in St Peters Square Manchester. I always think of her whenever there is a voting day and in December last year when the general election was taking place I went to vote and remembered the sacrifice she and her fellow suffragettes made.
I wouldn’t say that I am a feminist. I have been lucky that I have not really experienced not being treated with respect and likewise, I treat others as my equal. This year I see the hashtag for International Women's Day is #EqualforEqual. We are all individual yet we all want equal rights. Equality I think is more about individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets that can have a great impact on our society. Equality isn’t just for women but for men too, it is the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.
We have been asked at Gaia Skincare if we will be bringing out a men’s range. We feel that our brand values: nurturing, grounding, exceptional, responsible and liberating sincerely reflect our skincare and that these values represent both men and women equally. Regardless of gender or identification we all wash our face. It is more important to be responsible and conscious about ingredients and cruelty free products.
As "Generation Z" enters the marketplace, male customers are increasingly comfortable with skincare brands that are preferring an ingredients first approach to gendered marketing. It is like we want equality but then promote International Women’s Day. So my message is yes I am all for equality for both men and women.