Pressing forward for gender parity

International Women’s Day is an annual event that I’m very passionate about. The focus of the 2018 International Women’s Day campaign is #PressforProgress – a call to action to press forward and progress gender parity.

When I reflect on how I’ve progressed through my own career, I always focus on the positives – that I have had wonderful opportunities and worked with fantastic colleagues who I have learnt from and gained great inspiration.

At times it has been very tough; I have had moments during my career when I really stopped and reflected on my career direction and choices, but I have been committed to persisting no matter what and the idea of ‘pressing forward’ resonates with me because perseverance has been my mantra throughout my career.

Like many of my contemporary female colleagues, I have encountered discrimination during my career journey. When this has occurred, my determination and focus has gotten me through those challenging periods.

Much of my professional life has been spent operating in areas where women have been the minority; on many occasions I was the only female member within the team. I’m adamant that women in the workforce now and in the future should have equal access to all opportunities and that is why I am passionate about initiatives that promote strong education values in children which will help provide an equal employment opportunity pathway in years to come – setting a strong foundation early.

I also spend personal time working with women (in what may have previously been seen as male-dominated work areas) to talk about my own experiences, how I have overcome challenges, and why I am certain that females can be successful in these work areas.

But it was a personal experience that really struck a chord with me – it made me feel both sad and exhilarated at the same time as we continue to Press for Progress.  

It happened on a relaxed weeknight when I was at home watching TV with my young family. An ad came on for the ANZ bank.

The ad uses several facts about women and girls and the gender disparity that exists, particularly in the professional world.

When the ad finished, my 12-year-old daughter turned to me and said, ‘Mum, what are they talking about in that ad? I don’t understand.’

I went on to explain to her as best I could about why women would finish up with less superannuation, had low representation in leadership roles in many industries, and are paid less as graduates etc. and I found myself trying to explain the unexplainable!

My daughter looked at me like I had lost my mind (not an unusual occurrence from a 'tween'…). It struck me that my daughter was what I would describe as an ‘equality native’, having not experienced any bias at school, within society, or at home. She could not fathom the messages in the ANZ ad.

So while I was sad that I had to explain the unexplainable to her, I was truly exhilarated that many of the cold hard facts of gender inequality were totally foreign to her. And that is why I am going to continue to #PressforProgress to keep it that way for my children and future generations.

Progress doesn’t happen by itself. It requires each and everyone one of us – men and women – to press forward for gender parity in small and large ways.

I’m proud of my career achievements and the initiatives that I’m involved in to help Press for Progress. But I will be most proud when my son and daughter’s generation enjoys gender parity as the norm not the exception.

An image of myself with nbn co's Chief Network Engineering Officer Peter Ryan participating in an internal International Women's Day campaign to #PressforProgress for gender parity.