Life Uncut: Laura Byrne says International Women’s Day is ‘tokenistic’
Laura Byrne says International Women’s Day is ‘symbolic’ when companies ‘do nothing to bridge the gender pay gap’
Reality stars turned podcasters Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley have called International Women’s Day a “symbolic” gesture.
The pair criticized the national day on Life uncutsaying that companies do “nothing to bridge the gap” between men and women when they host IWD events.
“We have some conflicting feelings about International Women’s Day. It’s not about what the day is supposed to represent, but we have a problem with how corporate it’s become,’ Laura began.
“It’s become a really symbolic day about, ‘Wow, we appreciate our women,’ but they’re really not doing anything to bridge the gap.”
Brittany added, “I don’t see the point in one day bringing out the heads of all these companies, having lunch, posting some photos and a quote about women being strong and then nothing will change.” ‘
Reality stars turned podcasters Laura Byrne (right) and Brittany Hockley (left) have called International Women’s Day a ‘symbolic’ gesture
Laura said she also thinks International Women’s Day “doesn’t celebrate every type of woman.”
“The other part of this is I feel like it’s just partying and a certain type of woman. It just celebrates women who are working, who are working hard,” she said.
“What about women who are stay-at-home moms? Women contributing to society in caring roles? We don’t glorify or celebrate that as an equal contribution to society.’
Brittany and Laura said it’s “all about celebrating women and people,” but that there needs to be a meaningful change.
The pair criticized the national day on Life Uncut, saying companies are “doing nothing to bridge the gap” between men and women when they host IWD events
The former reality stars launched their Life Uncut podcast in 2019.
ARN’s iHeart Radio network last month re-signed the duo to a new multi-year deal to continue their popular podcast.
Laura rose to fame as the winner of The Bachelor in 2017 and shares two children with fiancé Matty Johnson.
Brittany made it to the final of The Bachelor with Sophie Tieman a year later, only for lead actor Nick Cummins to choose neither.
Brittany added: ‘I don’t see the point in one day having the heads of all these companies come out, have lunch… and then nothing will change’