IWD 2022 perspectives: Rasshii Kapoor

A personal commitment to contribute to creating a world where women are equal partners in the community helps to drive Rasshii Kapoor, a Team Lead in our Accounts crew. She shared with us her perspectives on International Women’s Day 2022, and the importance of #breakthebias.

“To help create a world that we are proud to hand down to future generations, we must do all we can to ensure women are equal partners in all aspects of economic, political, and social life,” Rasshii says.

In terms of her career journey to date, she said that challenging her own internal biases was an important step.

“As a woman from a multicultural background, it was most important for me to firstly break the ‘cultural glass ceiling’ in my head that held me back,” Rasshii said.

“Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.?We are unable to change the way other people behave, but if we can consciously break our biases then we can lead by example. Let this reflect in everything we do.”

Rasshii suggests that organisations need to consider the societal norms at play in many households and create opportunities that incorporate that insight to create true empowerment and equality.

“Speaking from a cultural perspective, women often perform multiple roles in daily life, from looking after the household, kids, family, social commitments, while working of course. Therefore, it is crucial that organisations create supportive environments for women that consider those dynamics.”

“People leaders play a pivotal role in empowering individuals and helping them to realise and unleash their strengths. When they create a safe environment, team members feel encouraged to respectfully speak of how they feel or what they think.”

The diversity of thought in organisations that champion equality is something Rasshii feels is very beneficial.

“Women think differently to men in many situations, which is why it is so important to #BreakthebIas and have gender balance. Research shows that better decisions are made when women are at the decision-making table, therefore, women are needed at every table where decisions are made,” Rasshii said.

“Where organisations have diversity and equality and everyone is supported to succeed, people work together better, and the focus is on what successes can be achieved together. People who feel they belong in an organisation can bring their true selves to work every day, which helps them to thrive personally and professionally.”

Rasshii feels that the momentum for change is really exciting. ?

“Today, individual women are creating historical firsts – they are prime ministers, governors-general, CEOs, business leaders, academics, sporting legends as well as mothers, sisters, and partners,” she said.

“A 100 years ago we had women calling for action, we now have thousands of women and men, from across Australia, and millions more across the world, not just calling for change, but taking action themselves to #breakthebias.”