The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. We can choose to challenge and call out gender stereotypes and bias, and to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change.

We sat down with Rasha Ghanem, Communications Director for Ford Direct Markets. Though only with Ford a little over a year, she’s had a deeper connection to the brand for much longer, leading the Ford account in the Middle East and North Africa for one of WPP’s leading PR agencies. But how has the mum-of-two managed to adapt to new ways of working; and what does International Women’s Day mean to her?

“Inexplicably, we are this week celebrating our one-year ‘Working-From-Home’ anniversary. This pandemic undoubtedly normalised remote work, and I think we all know it will never quite be the same again. I miss my team, office comradery, our fun and fruitful face-to-face brainstorming sessions… but I’m still adapting. We all are, and that’s what makes us successful as a unit, and as part of the Ford family.”

Who’s the most inspiring woman you know?
“Every woman, in my opinion, is inspirational in their own right. But if I had to choose one that inspires me most today, I will surely name my eight-year-old daughter. Despite her young age, she still manages to teach me a great deal; especially in these trying times. She’s my ever-present source of inspiration, and she constantly reminds me that everything I do is worth the challenge.”

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“International Women’s Day is a good reminder to adopt diversity and inclusion in our everyday lives. But it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of those great women around us. Though why limit that acknowledgement to one day? Every day can be Women’s Day. We should remind ourselves to always celebrate the wins, be they social, economic, cultural or political.”

What does this year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge mean to you?
“I believe in change, and change is what we need in today’s life to go further. We must come together and #ChooseToChallenge, to make an impact. Looking around, there is still so much inequality, bias, and discriminating stereotypes. My role as a mother, wife, and leader, is to join the campaign against these disparities, in a very vocal manner. I will always challenge those around me because I want to contribute to securing a better world.”

How do you #ChooseToChallenge?
“I lead by example and will always question the things and actions around me. Known for my fairness, I refuse to settle, and always encourage those around me to speak up and fight for their cause. And in my everyday life, I tend to use effective questioning as a technique; a skill I acquired and honed throughout my career. With family, friends, and colleagues, it facilitates engaging discussion, empowers them, and cultivates an environment where everyone feels confident to open their mind to deeper discussions.”

How Does Ford support women who #ChooseToChallenge?
“Ford is constantly striving to foster a culture of belonging for all employees, regardless of where they come from; just one of the reasons I feel grateful to be a part of this team. This year, joining the conversation around International Women’s Day theme #ChooseToChallenge, it’s a moment to focus on how each of us, and the automotive industry as a whole, can come together to challenge the barriers, create policies, and provide women with even greater resources to thrive.”

What inspires you?
“There’s always something worth learning from those around you; my community, friends, leaders, team, partners, celebrities, and volunteers – everyone and everything around me fills me with inspiration. Of course, I am aware that no one is perfect, and there are always opportunities to become a better me. But this is a journey, and inspiration is everywhere.”

To download the Word document of this press release in English, click here