This International Women’s Day we want to remind you that gender equality is not about women and girls.
Well, it is. And it isn’t.
Under each of the Global Goals there are specific indicators which measure progress towards achieving that goal. For example, under Goal 5, Gender Equality there are fourteen indicators such as the ’proportion of women in managerial positions’ and the ‘proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex.’
But gender equality is not confined to Goal 5. Across all 17 of the Global Goals, there are 52 indicators related to women and girls. That’s 52 reminders of the intersectional impact of gender equality.
That’s 52 reminders that gender equality means less poverty, more climate justice, better health, stronger economies, and so much more.
That’s 52 reminders that women’s power means world progress.
When we break down the barriers and biases standing between women and girls and their full power, we leave no one behind.
But we’re at half time for the Global Goals, and we aren’t halfway to achieving gender equality.
In fact, we’re almost 300 years away.
Time to remind the world that we need more game-changers for gender, and to be reminded of 52 times that women’s power changed the world for everyone, not just women and girls.
Goal 5, it’s time to imagine winning.
You’re too emotional to handle this project
You’re too pretty to be good at math
You should smile more
You’re not like other women
You should dress more feminine/masculine
You’re too old/young to understand
I don’t want to work with a woman/man
These phrases are not only outdated but also highly problematic. Yet, we watch them being thrown around like confetti, even as we approach International Women’s Day 2023.
Although gender discrimination continues to be a challenge in today’s fast-paced world, the good news is that putting an end to it is in our hands. Even the smallest step we take towards uprooting discrimination makes a significant impact in creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
An organisation should believe in fostering an inclusive ecosystem. One can achieve this by implementing policies, hosting workshops, promoting active listening, providing valuable training and resources, cultivating a culture of respect and inclusivity, addressing discrimination if and when it arises, and encouraging networking and collaboration.
Promoting diversity in an organisation requires unbiased hiring and prioritizing diversity from the outset. Studies show that women tend to hire more women, creating a foundation for inclusion. Proactively hiring diverse employees helps create a welcoming workplace that values all perspectives.
The importance of challenging gender biases, promoting equal educational opportunities, and empowering women to take leadership roles are words that serve as a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a better future, and that by working together, we can achieve great things.