International Women’s Day 2022

Women play a big role in our society and so do allies. They are important in social, political, economic, religious, community and cultural spheres. This March 8th, we are celebrating a special day to acknowledge and honour women worldwide for their contribution to society and also to work together to break biases, to bring forward gender equality.

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) theme calls to #breakthebias on gender, promoting a gender-equal world; free of stereotypes and discrimination. Can we do this together? Can we do our part and create a more equal world? We believe so.

This IWD we raise awareness and promote actions that we can all do to make a positive impact against gender biases and towards true equality.

Gender equality means equal rights and opportunities for all,

regardless of their gender.

In order to achieve gender equality, we must promote and foster women empowerment as it is a critical aspect in achieving equity goals. Women empowerment involves a woman's sense of self-worth, decision-making, access to resources and opportunities, leading to the true ability to effect change and to lead.

Gender bias violates gender equality and greatly denies women’s rights. Gender biases appear in day to day life, social interactions and at work, on the display of micro-aggression comments or in the boardroom when decision making is taking place. All these biased behaviours hinder women from moving ahead in our communities, society and the workplace.

Everyday and everywhere in the world, women still experience bias and inequality, conscious and unconscious biases behaviours. Knowing about it isn’t enough - yet, it is the first step towards change. Once awareness is raised we need to keep working on it, take action together, steps forward to be an ally not only to one, or to some, but to all.

Here are three simple ways on how we can help break biases:

1- Raise your own awareness and educate yourself about your biases

Gender bias won’t disappear unless people understand that it is here in our day to day and in society. Even when it does not affect us directly, it affects all of us indirectly, and it is impactful and harmful to all. Work on increasing your awareness of your own biases and blind spots. How can you do it? Here are some practical tips:

● Read more about diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging

● Watch a talk like the TedTalk from Vernã Myers or do an online course on the subject

● Attend a training session from FELIZ Consulting! :)

● Do the Implicif Bias test by Harvard University

● Reflect on your identity, privileges, your headwinds and tailwinds

● Discuss the topic at work, school and community - with kindness, empathy, respect and less judgment

● Work on making the unconscious move up to the conscious level

● Share and get involved through social media, joining organizations that support gender equality and supporting NGOs too like RESOLVE Foundation

2- Speak up with empathy and kindness

Speak up if you see biased behavior at work and in your community, as we need more allyship to #breakthebias. How can you do it?

● Use inclusive language when speaking up helping to “call people in” rather than “call people out”

● Share articles and information about gender bias with friends and colleagues

● Use more open questions rather than statements and assumptions (e.g Why do you say that? Have you thought about it from the others perspective? From the opposite gender? How could this be viewed differently? How could this be perceived and what is the impact?)

● Remember it is not about you but about we / how can we bring inclusion, empathy and kindness into our lives?

● Take ownership of your views and actions, and use agrowth mindset to improve, learn and share with others.

3- Be an ally to all

An ally is a supporter, a voice of encouragement and empathy. Help empower people around you in any way possible, at work or outside. In terms of gender equality, how can you be more of an ally? Encourage women at work and in your society, be open minded and non-judgemental, speak up when you see microaggressions and biased behaviour, be mindful of stereotypes and biases that play a role in your life, and do your best to disrupt them. Be the ally in your work, lead by example and be the best DEI advocate you can be.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” ― Maya Angelou

This International Women’s Day, let’s work together to #breakthebias.

We all have important roles to play in making it happen.

If you like this article, our tips and you are interested in trainings and facilitations on “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging”; “Breaking the Biases and Becoming a Better Ally” and much more please reach out to us [email protected]

We would love to hear from you! Thank you.