Let's Ethically Hack Inclusion!

Every year, we celebrate International Women’s Day – a reminder of the achievements of women and the many hurdles we have crossed. This year’s theme, ‘Inspiring Inclusion’, resonates deeply with me and my works at HerVest and Women in Tech Nigeria , not just in providing financial inclusion for women of all ages but in creating spaces where women can thrive, and building a more equitable future for all.

Last week, we explored the roles women play in boosting emerging economies, particularly the GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa, despite facing systemic disadvantages. We also explored the importance of achieving economic parity. Did you miss it? Read it HERE .?

The UN's most recent report shows that it’ll take about 286 years for the world to achieve gender parity with our current rate of progress. So it’s a no-brainer that this year's IWD theme reiterates the need to accelerate and achieve gender parity.?

When we talk of gender parity or inclusivity, we often think we are powerless in the grand scheme of things, that it is for high-level decision-makers, or that our individual efforts don’t have much impact. But progress and momentum, particularly when it comes to women's inclusion, hinges heavily on the daily, everyday actions that we take in our home, family, offices, community – wherever we find ourselves and in whatever we do. Still, there are specific groups who hold immense power to foster inclusion. For the purpose of this special piece in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024, let’s call them ‘Inclusion Hackers.’

Cultural, religious, and traditional leaders?

In June 2017, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman lifted the women driver ban, allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia. When Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving, many turned to social media to express their joy and relief. Due to cultural and religious beliefs, Saudi Arabian women are restricted from certain activities, and driving used to be one of these activities. This lift did not only increase their mobility, a report estimated that families could save up to a thousand dollars monthly because of this.?

You see, many policies about women’s rights and bodies largely stem from cultural and religious beliefs. Deeply ingrained beliefs shape how we perceive and include women in our society. The idea that a woman cannot lead in certain religious settings or traditional meetings seep into more organized settings. Consequently, women are excluded from leadership roles or are not even considered for certain roles or positions. The decision made by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is an example of how cultural leaders can impact positive and progressive change. They can:

• Challenge land review doctrines, existing beliefs and practices that are harmful to women.
• Use their platforms to speak up for women.?
• Use their influence to promote beneficial policies and laws.

DEI Experts

We should all be DEI agents. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are not just buzzwords, they represent a more equitable world, one we should all work towards being a part of. If you are an expert on diversity, equity, and inclusion, you have the opportunity to foster inclusivity in your workplace and measure its impact in real time. Antonia Bowring emphasizes the importance of having women and men equally represented on company boards. But I’ll say inclusion doesn’t have to begin or end there. DEI experts can:?

• Start by intentionally building a mixed gender team.
• Work with HR and recruiters to ensure women are adequately represented in workspaces.
• Use inclusive language in job descriptions and company policies.
• Introduce programs aimed at enhancing female representation and inclusion.

HR Professionals

As an HR professional , you have the power to build a workspace where women feel included, valued and represented across departments and levels. One way to achieve this is to first create a comprehensive strategy that includes well-designed recruitment procedures, specific goals and targets for increasing women's representation at all levels within the organization, and promotion pathways that are free from bias. Here are some achievable tips:

• Always review job descriptions to ensure they do not automatically disqualify women.?
• Have a diverse interview panel consisting of women.?
• Provide support for female employees, like on-site child-care support, maternity leave, and so on.
• Build a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence, harassment, assault, or micro-aggressions in the workplace.?
• Open up a channel where women can easily share ideas, suggestions and concerns, and report any form of discrimination.

Business Owners | Founders | CEOs

This is the year 2024 and I’m inclined to believe that many business owners are more progressive in approaching issues of gender inequality in their organizations and, through their businesses, are pushing for an equal playing field between the sexes. However, this doesn’t negate the fact that there’s still much work to be done. The most important is proactively building a company culture where women can grow and thrive. Here are some tips business owners can consider:

• Work with DEI experts to create measurable diversity and inclusion goals . As a matter of fact, set pipeline targets for gender diversity and inclusion in your business.?

• Set the tone from the top and publicly reiterate your commitment to gender diversity and women's inclusion.?
• Ensure your legal framework adheres to existing anti-discrimination, equal opportunity and labour laws.??
• Review and revise internal policies frequently to ensure you’re on track.?
• Ensure you have the same wages and compensation for both genders.
• Walk the talk! Let your leadership team be diverse and inclusive and watch it trickle down to other teams.?

Policy Makers & Political Appointees?

The majority of barriers women have to face are systemic. Well-crafted policies and legislation can play a crucial role in breaking down these barriers and promoting equal opportunities. Bills aimed at lifting the ban on female genital mutilation or reducing the body autonomy of women upturn decades of hard work towards parity. Policymakers and political appointees can:

• Champion and enact laws that guarantee (or encourage, at the very least) women’s involvement in governance, politics and policymaking.?
• Connect with women at all levels, particularly at the grassroots level, and give room for their voices and opinions to be heard.?
• Amplify women’s voices, particularly during decision-making processes and policy discussions.
• Oppose regressive bills.

Financial Experts

Financial inclusion is one of the most important ways to achieve gender and economic parity, and financial experts are positioned to lead the change. To do this, financial experts can:

• Develop financial literacy programs: Across your social media platforms, you can design programs that will help address the problems of financial inequality.
• Develop financial products: Design financial products that are inclusive of women and are tailored to meet their needs. Women should be able to save, have access to credit, and invest, at the very least, and this is the core of what we do at HerVest . We’re ensuring women have access to the tools that can help them build financial security.?
• Share your expertise and knowledge: When I wrote Stripped, the goal was to have a book that provides learnings, opportunities, and sustainable initiatives to help women build generational wealth. It is one of the ways I am bridging the financial knowledge gap and ensuring every woman has the tools to succeed financially. Stripped is currently available at a discounted price. You can get yours here and here .?

It doesn’t have to end with the people mentioned above. We all have a part to play. As we celebrate women this month, let’s challenge biases, recognize and value women's input, support women-owned businesses and women-led projects, amplify women’s voices, invite women as experts in the media, and uphold women’s rights at all times. Finally, let’s champion inclusion by calling for policies that promote gender equality and women’s economic participation, access to and control over productive resources, autonomy over their time, lives and bodies.?

Happy International Women’s Day to YOU!

_

Do you enjoy reading this newsletter? Don’t forget to subscribe, like and share with your family and friends. See you next week ????