A conversation this week sparked a reflection on gender diversity in the workplace. There are divergent opinions regarding Women in Leadership development programs, but the increasing interest and inquiries for InPD’s Women in Leadership programme are encouraging. However, InPD also encounters scepticism and resistance from some who question the need for such programmes. This seemed intriguing and worthy of some wider reading.
A survey by King's College London King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) reveals that the momentum for gender equality may be losing steam, as 38% of respondents believe that we have already achieved enough progress. Surprisingly, even 33% of women thought we’ve gone so far in promoting women’s equality that we are discriminating against men. However, when examining the global data, it becomes clear that generational differences play a significant role. Baby boomers are the least likely to agree with this opinion, while Millennials are more inclined, with 53% expressing the same belief. These findings highlight the complexity of attitudes towards gender equality.
Based on the work of Claudia Goldin A Grand Gender Convergence: Its Last Chapter (harvard.edu), a Harvard University economics professor and Nobel Prize winner, it is evident that certain high-paying jobs are more appealing to men than women due to factors such as intense makeup, on-call requirements, and inflexibility, which can be incompatible with family commitments. This information sheds light on the existing gender convergence in today's cultural norms. It is true that women also take on high-paying jobs, but it is worth considering how often couples tend to specialize, with one partner focusing on their career while the other takes on more responsibilities at home. While there are examples of both partners sharing these roles, it's important to acknowledge the potential for stressful conflicts when trying to balance work and home priorities. Finding a harmonious balance between work and personal life is a challenge that many couples face. That’s why its joyous to see businesses such as About Us - Tired Mums Coffee, a women owned businesses, creating a peer support community, a place to share the highs and support the lows, talking honestly about life as a mum, being employed and running a business.
Reflecting on how history plays a significant role in shaping our perspectives on leadership and equality. It's crucial to question whether our focus on equality has made us overlook aspects that may seem normal but could make a substantial difference in achieving equality for current and future generations. There are so many examples from Caroline Criado Perez’ work Invisible Women | Caroline Criado Perez, here’s a few to whet your appetite. In the workplace, it's important to ensure that everyone has access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE) The Gender PPE Gap: Keeping Female Employees Protected | WISE Worksafe. This includes considering the needs of both male and female employees when purchasing supplies. Thinking about the challenges of finding PPE that fits properly, such as steel toecap boots and high viz vests. It can be frustrating when items are not readily available or designed to accommodate different body types stopping us from doing our jobs or doing them well. This issue extends to healthcare settings as well, where even scrubs may not be designed with female bodies in mind. It's crucial to address the gender PPE gap and prioritize the safety and comfort of all employees.
Have you ever wondered why there are often long queues for the toilets at concerts or theatre shows? It turns out that the design of male and female toilets is not as equal as it may seem RSPH | The decline of the Great British public toilet. While both gender bathroom facilities are given the same amount of floor space, male toilets typically have both urinals and cubicles. Urinals take up less space than cubicles, allowing more men to use the facilities at once. This inequality in can lead to longer wait times for women.
Did you know that recent research shows that 13-15-year-old girls are the least active population in the UK? Diversity in the outdoors (outwardbound.org.uk) This lack of activity persists into adulthood, which is a concerning trend. Make Space for Girls investigated the usage of multi-use games areas, skate parks, and BMX tracks and found that 90% of these facilities are dominated by boys Parkwatch (makespaceforgirls.co.uk). It's clear that there is a need to provide more activities in local parks that specifically cater to girls and young women. Girls and Public Parks - the right to equal play. - Friends of Rowntree Park.
Are you involved in research or healthcare? It's crucial to include sex disaggregated data in your findings. Many healthcare studies were historically conducted on male subjects, even though female bodies and reactions can vary greatly. Take a moment to consider the gender of your CPR dummy if you provide first aid training. Nurse.org New CPR Training Tool Has Breasts And This Is Why It Matters To Women | Nurse.org highlights the importance of having a CPR training tool that accurately represents female anatomy. This can make a significant difference in a real-life CPR situation.
There are numerous examples of societal norms that often go unnoticed until we start engaging with others and expanding our knowledge. Recently, during a leadership training session, an intriguing question posed about the lack of female authors in the course material. As a female tutor not noticing helped demonstrate that we are all a work-in-progress, constantly learning and growing. More female-oriented work is now actively being sought out.
This leads to, equality in the workplace is so much more than leadership positions and pay, it affects the workforce, customers and public in so many ways in so many different industries.
Putting our energy into curiosity of our shared history and seeing the world from a different perspective can re-energize our journey towards equality. It is important to maintain an appetite for change and continue learning. Let's embrace this opportunity to grow and evolve together, challenging the status quo and embracing change, we can create a more inclusive and equal society.
If you’re interested in learning more and putting into action change in this arena, then explore our Women in Leadership programme Women in Leadership Programme - CMI Level 7 (inpd.co.uk) to make a difference in your organisation. Connect with like-minded females, either virtually or face-to-face, to share your experiences and embark on a transformative learning journey. Alternatively, if you're a male seeking to become a good ally in this arena, consider our Inclusive and Compassionate Leadership Programme Inclusive and Compassionate Leadership Programme - CMI Level 7 (inpd.co.uk).