March is International Women's Month, a time to commemorate the extraordinary achievements of women throughout history and their ongoing fight for equal access to opportunities. While significant strides have been made, the journey towards a truly equitable world continues. This article goes beyond mere celebration, offering actionable ways for everyone, including men, to actively participate in achieving gender equality.

Men ask for more: Bridging the Opportunity Gap

This International Women's Day we're encouraging men to ask for more (to help support women). Gender equality is not a competition, but a shared goal that benefits everyone. Both men and women can be powerful allies by:

• Advocating for equal pay and promotion opportunities: Speak up against pay gaps and champion promotions based on merit, not gender.
• Mentoring and sponsoring women: Share your knowledge and experience to help women advance in their careers.
• Challenging unconscious bias: Recognize and address your own biases, and call out biased behavior in others.
• Reframing Traditional Mindsets: Recognize how seemingly harmless expressions can perpetuate a culture of inequality.
• Ditch the "Helping" Narrative: Phrases like "helping" with housework imply that these chores are inherently female responsibilities.
• Recognize Shared Responsibility: Housework and childcare are not "women's work."
• Questioning a woman's expertise or qualifications more than a man's with similar experience: Evaluate individuals based on their skills and achievements, not gender.
• Jokes or humor that rely on sexist stereotypes: A professional environment should be inclusive and respectful for all genders.

Celebrating Women's Achievements

International Women's Day is a perfect time to celebrate the incredible achievements of women:

• Highlight historical and contemporary figures: Research and share stories of women who broke barriers in various fields (science, arts, politics, etc.).
• Create dynamic activities on your workplace and communities that involve all genders, that raise awareness of the importance and meaning of this month.
• Engage with women's initiatives: Support organizations and programs that empower women and girls, like Women’s leadership panels, STEM mentoring programs.

Beyond Words: Deconstructing Gendered Language

The language we use shapes perceptions and reinforces stereotypes. Here's how everyone can adopt more inclusive language:

• Focus on skills and accomplishments: Describe women based on their abilities and achievements, not their appearance.
• Practice active listening: Give women your full attention, allowing them to express themselves without interruption.
• Avoid gendered assumptions: Don't automatically associate strengths or weaknesses with gender:
  • Assertive vs. Bossy: This is a classic example. A neutral alternative is simply "assertive."
  • Ambitious vs. Aggressive: Neutral alternatives could be "driven" or "goal oriented."
  • "Advocating for oneself" vs. Childish: A woman negotiating a raise might be told she's being "difficult" or "unreasonable," while a man might simply be seen as "standing up for himself."
  • Emotional vs. Unstable: other alternatives can be "sensitive" or "in touch with his feelings."
  • Independent vs. Cold: we can simply say "self-sufficient" or "doesn't need to rely on others."
  • Decisive vs. Domineering: Yet we can also use terms like "decisive" or "a good leader".

Examining the Impact of Being Women in Business

Data paints a clear picture: companies with diverse leadership teams outperform their peers. Women, however, remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. This disparity stems from several factors, including:

• Unconscious Bias: Hiring managers may hold unconscious biases that favor men for certain roles.
• Work-Life Balance Challenges: The burden of childcare often falls disproportionately on women, making it difficult to balance career demands and maintain the professional drive to excel at work. Support work-life balance for both men and women through flexible schedules and parental leave policies.
• Lack of Mentorship and Sponsorship: Women may have fewer opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship, hindering career advancement.

Conclusion

By all genders becoming allies, using inclusive language, raising awareness and appreciating diverse communication styles, everyone can play a crucial role in creating a more equitable world. Let's move beyond celebration and take action throughout the year. BindTuning is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and empowering talent, regardless of gender. Join us in building a future where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.