Women’s Contribution to an equitable future

Eliminating the systemic gender gap in the workplace is a complex and multifaceted issue requiring various strategies and actions. It requires mobilizing all efforts disregarding gender. However, women have a crucial role in initiating this endeavor. They can assume leadership by catalyzing women’s and men’s actions toward gender equity.

Here are some ways women and men in leadership positions can help achieve a just and equitable future:

• Lead by example: As a woman leader, it's important to demonstrate your leadership skills and abilities to others. This can include showcasing your strengths and capabilities, being proactive in decision-making, and building strong relationships with your team.

• Address bias: One of the biggest challenges in eliminating the gender gap is unconscious bias. Women leaders can work to identify and address bias within their organizations by offering unconscious bias training to staff and reviewing hiring and promotion processes to ensure that they are fair and equitable.
  

• Encourage diversity: Women leaders can also work to promote diversity within their organizations by actively seeking out and hiring diverse candidates and creating an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and heard.
  

• Mentor and sponsor women: Women in leadership positions can help other women succeed by providing mentorship and sponsorship opportunities. This can include coaching women to develop their skills and offering opportunities for them to take on leadership roles.
  

• Advocate for policies that support women: Women leaders can use their influence to advocate for policies that support women in the workplace — reclaiming the visibility of women's contributions, same career opportunities, flexible work, and equal pay.

  
  

Overall, women in leadership positions have a unique opportunity to help eliminate the systemic gender gap in the workplace. By leading by example, addressing bias, encouraging diversity, mentoring and sponsoring women, and advocating for policies that support women, they can make a meaningful impact and create a more equitable workplace for all.

These actions will inspire and motivate men in leadership roles to act, addressing the gender gap in the workplace. They can contribute by educating themselves, challenging bias, supporting women, addressing their behavior, and advocating for policies supporting women, helping to create a more inclusive workplace for all.

• Educate themselves: Men can start by educating themselves about the gender gap and the challenges women face in the workplace. This can involve reading articles, books, and reports, and attending training sessions or workshops.

• Challenge bias: Men can actively challenge and address bias when they encounter it. This can include calling out sexist comments or behaviors and advocating for women's ideas and contributions in meetings.
  

• Support women: Men can support women in the workplace by mentoring and sponsoring them, and advocating for their advancement and recognition. They can also work to create a more inclusive workplace culture where women feel valued and supported.
  

• Address their behavior: Men can also reflect on their behavior and attitudes towards women, and work to change any harmful or discriminatory behavior. This can involve examining their own biases, seeking feedback from colleagues, and being open to constructive criticism.
  

• Advocate for policies that support women: Men can use their position of influence to advocate for policies that support women in the workplace recognizing the uniqueness of women’s contributions, as a complementary perspective that brings valuable diversity.
  

Normally women are invited and recommended to “act as a man” in leadership positions, as they are still role models. Nevertheless, this is a vicious game, because no one “acts as a man” better than men. Women start in a disadvantaged position and surely will work harder to perform a role that isn’t natural to them - it’s not just wearing trousers. The big game changer will be when society understands that women don't need to “act as a man” to be excellent leaders. Their contribution is critical to understanding complexity from their specific perspective, and not from a less experienced men’s perspective.

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