Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.
International Women’s Day 2023
IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.
As a man I continue to seek to encourage and support the three women in my life as a husband and a father but as a youth worker to also support those young women whom I serve. This is my quick list.
- Listen, don’t try to solve and believe in the women you listen to
- Call out inequality and don’t allow it to take root in yourself
- Respect the need for different forms of affection. In other words give them space. Don’t assume they will want a hug. I often wait for my daughters to tell me they need a hug.
- Big one for me. You live in the home so you get involved in cleaning it, washing up and looking after the children. It is NOT women’s work. Being an active husband and father is a benefit and something I completely enjoy. It is fun when your daughter comes along and disagrees with you on something. You start to engage in dialogue and before long find yourself changed and growing.
Here’s a challenge for you.
A father and his son are involved in a horrific car crash and the man died at the scene. But when the child arrived at the hospital and was rushed into the operating theatre, the surgeon pulled away and said: “I can’t operate on this boy, he’s my son”.
How can this be?
This story is about challenging unconscious bias. Have you got the answer yet? Our unconscious bias is to assume the surgeon is male but the answer is that the surgeon is the boy’s mother.
Why do I put this in? It is to challenge the men to be aware that however hard we try, our upbringing, place in society, can bring in unconscious bias. Don’t be too hard on yourself about this but be ready to challenge yourself to change and allow women to challenge you on your language and attitudes.
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