Think Equal with Equal Half

Circa 2020. Public discourse on gender equity and equality has reached a crescendo. The rights and well-being of women and girls have seen tremendous advances. Women are doing, what perhaps even Men haven’t done before. Women Empowerment is the buzzword. Women participation in higher education is at an all-time high. Gender Gap on health is looking upwards and political participation is poised well, at the lower local governing body level.

Wait. What is it with our women’s workforce participation then? Why do we have such a low percentage of women doing paid work? (And surprisingly to some), why do the Urban numbers of paid work by women, look worse than the Rural ones? What will it take?

Surely it can’t only be only the women? What about the other Xs in this design? Other Xs?

Yes. The other factors. The structural inequities, the social and corporate conditioning, the patriarchal mind-sets, the privileged ones, the Men. Yes, you are privileged, you know. (Yes you don't know but you are!).

Surprised? This is why we need a gender transformative approach to address the root causes of the inequalities, for attaining the Planet 50:50 goal. To be an Equal Half. There is a well researched need, to more actively engage men and boys in examining and challenging power dynamics in their own lives as well as more broadly, in their communities and societies . We need to engage men and boys in change at individual levels, in their relationships with partners, colleagues, families, children and friends, as well as at more structural levels, in their roles and capacities as colleagues, teachers, corporate executives, policy-makers, etc. Engaging men and boys in gender equality is integral to better the balance, addressing gender inequalities, strengthening human rights, and promoting women’s equitable access.

We need to make Men aware, help them move away from masculinities that prevent them from embracing Equality. Becoming cognizant of their biases, mentoring and sponsoring women, doing their share of work, at home or at work. Net net, be an #EqualPartner and an #EqualHalf - in line with the United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2019 - Think equal, build smart, innovate for change.

The Equal Half theme will focus on innovative ways, that empower Men to Think Equal and thus take onus to advance the gender ratio. This is being carried forward through the year with research studies for deeper insights, panel discussions to provide a safe space for men to voice concerns, and workshops aimed at imbibing the essence of this new unbiased way of being. After all, in the workplace of the future, diversity of our workforce and its inclusion is the new disruptor.

Want to engage with Reboot on Equal Half? Comment below or mail me.

Anupama Kapoor, Founder @ Reboot