A different future for women

Happy International Women's Day!

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion (Quote from International Women's Day.com)

I love this quote because it tells us about what we want more of. By contrast, I often wonder why despite all the employment legislation in the UK, the level of discrimination, bullying and harassment is still very prevalent in UK workplaces.

I was then pondering the impact of language and meaning and what if we advocated for more of what we wanted at work vs what we don't want, such as that demonstrated through HR anti-discrimination policies - (what we won't do).

What if every workplace was really explicit about what they wanted more of and even more explicit about what they wanted to achieve for women. What if they openly acknowledged that change is needed and adopted a vision or mission to act and behave in ways that demonstrated a desire for real change and a resolute commitment to supporting women in new ways. Could this be a new future for women?

Here is a version of what that future mission could look like:

In our workplace, we are committed:

• To stamping out pay inequality between men and women
• To supporting women (who are generally the bearers of many more caring responsibilities and therefore at a disadvantage over men) to grow and develop in their careers acknowledging the challenges they face as a woman (compared to a man)
• To being openminded and knowing that there are several ways to skin a cat - that work can still be completed in many other flexible ways over full time - ie part-time and job share
• To encouraging and creating the right conditions for women to return to the workplace after having children including flexible working
• To training all our people, managers and leaders about the negative effects of stereotyping women including those from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures with clear intent to stamp out such practices.
• To promoting the myriad benefits of diversity and inclusion of women from diverse backgrounds
• To supporting women into senior roles because we believe that 'all male' boards are unhealthy, unbalanced and not good for business or society. We openly acknowledge the different skills and talents that women bring and the rounded decisions that come from having women on boards - it brings balance - hence wo-man - yin and yang
• To allowing women to operate at senior levels bringing the fullness of who they are, in the knowledge they are not being compared to their male counterparts. Instead we celebrate difference and learn how work with those differences; this includes acknowledging that senior women with young children and caring responsibilities may require flexible ways of working which is acknowledged and anticipated over being judged and overlooked
• To making it acceptable and psychologically safe to call out when anyone witnesses women being subjected to any forms of discrimination at work
• To stamping out old ways of working that are limiting and no longer fit for purpose, and instead to find new ways to accommodate both men and women and the challenges they face collectively
• To constantly be reviewing current and prevailing unhealthy attitudes and behaviours and instead inspiring new and progressive thinking that benefits all
• To appreciating the role of women in society and the myriad skills they bring, the roles they play and their potential that is yet to be fully realised

Imagine what could be achieved if every business adopted this or something similar into their mission statement and culture.

Please let me know what you think - I'd love to get your views.

Thanks for reading and I invite you to please give a 'like' and/or 'comment' in support of women on this celebratory day.

Debbie