Gender inequality is starkly evident in various facets of society. Take for example the different challenges faced by men and women in their daily commute, where women have to carry pepper sprays and be extremely aware of their surroundings while men do not have to actively worry about their safety while taking similar commute. Additionally, in many households, women often shoulder the majority of household chores and caregiving responsibilities, while men are frequently exempted from the same. These entrenched roles not only perpetuate outdated stereotypes but also limit women's opportunities and choices.
Gender equality therefore includes more than simply women's rights. It is when your gender does not limit your ability to take chances or attain the rights you are entitled to. All individuals are treated equally, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.
Gender inequality is more than just a distant concept—it's a reality we face daily. The lack of women in leadership roles, stereotypes portrayed in media, and the prevalence of violence against women all serve as stark reminders of the work that still needs to be done. These daily struggles highlight the urgency of creating a more equitable world where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Ways to fight gender inequality daily -
- Check your bias
It is important to acknowledge any unconscious prejudices that we could have absorbed via cultural influences and societal norms. We must identify these biases and learn how they could affect our views and actions towards other people by reflecting on our interactions and experiences. This process of unlearning and relearning includes fighting past beliefs and increasing our knowledge by having open discussions and carefully listening to a wide variety of people, especially those from different backgrounds. Furthermore, we must all actively work to challenge our presumptions and strongly seek out different viewpoints.. Through a commitment to continuous introspection and education, we can help foster a more welcoming and respectful environment for all.
- Call out microagressions
Persistent "micro-aggressions," which are subtle but significant acts of prejudice that happen frequently, are something that women experience daily. These microaggressions can come in many different forms, like constantly having to demonstrate their competence, having their opinions ignored or cut short during meetings, hearing disparaging remarks about their looks or skills, having to complete menial tasks like making tea or taking notes, or even being mistakenly identified as someone in a much lower position while working in a senior role. These everyday humiliations undermine women's self-esteem, reinforce gender norms, and often act as obstacles to their career development. To fight these microaggressions, it is necessary to confront deeply rooted prejudices, encourage inclusive conduct, and provide an environment of equality and respect where everyone—regardless of gender—can prosper.
- Use gender-inclusive language at the workplace
Gender-neutral phrases in job descriptions, employee handbooks, and other company materials are essential if we are to progress towards a more diverse and equitable workplace. Speaking of "individuals" rather than "men" or "women" encourages an inclusive society and helps to challenge conventional gender norms. For instance, to be more inclusive of both genders, a job advertisement may use the phrase "salesperson" rather than "salesman" or "saleswoman." Companies that intentionally use gender-neutral terminology not only foster a more inclusive and pleasant workplace culture but also help remove prejudices and hurdles that have historically kept some genders out of particular professions.
- Listen to women and amplify their voices
Listening to women's voices and amplifying their perspectives is crucial for creating an inclusive and equitable society. By actively listening to women's lived experiences and ideas, individuals can gain valuable insights into issues that affect them, fostering empathy and understanding. Amplifying women's voices by sharing their achievements, insights, and concerns in personal and professional circles helps challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and create opportunities for women to be heard and recognized. People can prioritize this on a day-to-day basis by consciously seeking out and valuing women's input, engaging in respectful dialogue, and advocating for their inclusion in decision-making processes. By amplifying women's voices, we contribute to building a more inclusive world where everyone's contributions are valued and respected.
- Offer women mentorship and support
Offering mentorship and support to women is crucial for their professional and personal development, particularly in environments where they may face unique challenges and barriers. By providing guidance, advice, and encouragement, mentors can help women navigate their careers, develop new skills, and overcome obstacles. Mentorship also empowers women by boosting their confidence, expanding their networks, and advocating for their advancement. Actively engaging in mentorship contributes to creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces, promoting gender equality, and fostering a culture of support and empowerment. On a daily basis, individuals can offer mentorship by reaching out to women in their networks, actively listening to their concerns, sharing resources and opportunities, and serving as role models for inclusive leadership. By prioritizing mentorship and support for women, we contribute to creating a more equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
- Support women’s economic empowerment
We as individuals must acknowledge the huge impacts of women's economic empowerment on both a societal and personal level. It is not just about personal wealth; it's about fueling progress towards equality, eradicating poverty, and promoting economic expansion. However, long-standing gender stereotypes and a lack of domestic support frequently stand in the way of women's progress on this route. The World Bank's Global Findex database shows that there is still a sizable gender disparity in financial inclusion. The urgent need for action is highlighted by the reality that fewer women than males have access to formal financial services including bank accounts, loans, and savings. Supporting women-owned companies is one tangible way that every one of us can help women achieve economic empowerment. For example, we can choose to purchase at local businesses or online stores run by women entrepreneurs rather than settling for mass-produced goods. By doing this, we enable women to take charge of their financial fates and contribute to the success of these businesses.
Swasti has been a global force for women's empowerment, providing life skills education to garment workers across 10 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Myanmar, and Pakistan, in partnership with Gap Inc's P.A.C.E program. Further, with Walmart's Women in Factories program, we have trained over 25,000 workers in gender sensitivity across factories in India.
Further, Invest For wellness(i4we), incubated by the Catalyst Group, is a system innovation in primary healthcare, which combines health and wealth interventions, and focuses on wellness for the poor in an affordable, quality-assured, and scalable way. The program ensures primary care of members (locally), navigates them through a range of existing secondary and tertiary providers (where required), and uses a blended financing model. The model combines medical, behavioural, and social science with an appropriate mix of technology and health financing.
Read more about our work in the domain of gender and equity here - https://swasti.org/our_work/Gender-and-Equity
Frontline Feature - Pooja Devi
"Surprised by the nomination, I embraced leading the Samiti with determination fueled by others' faith in me. Through challenges and crises, my commitment to serving my community grew stronger. I strive to fulfil my duties with sincerity, sharing learnings to empower others. True leadership is about collective action and unwavering commitment to our community's wellbeing."
It is essential to empower women at the local level to promote gender equality and sustainable development. Through capacity-building programmes, education, economic empowerment, and leadership development, these efforts provide women the tools, abilities, and chances to drive change within their communities. Pooja Devi's journey as the president of Sanjeevani Kalyan Samiti (SKS) not only exemplifies the strength of female leadership but also underscores the transformative impact of empowering women at grassroots levels. Despite initial reservations, Pooja embraced her role with determination, becoming a beacon of inspiration for community empowerment, particularly in small towns. Her leadership during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic enabled her to actively engage with the community and provide crucial support for relief efforts. Pooja's story highlights the significance of female leadership in driving positive change, especially at the local level, where it can directly impact communities' well-being and resilience. By continuing her work with SKS, Pooja aims to encourage active participation in community development and collective action, particularly among women. Her story serves as a reminder of the immense potential and impact of empowering women in communities, driving meaningful change and creating a brighter future for all.
This women's day, let us come together to #InspireInclusion one step at a time.
Edited by - Kamalkoli Majumdar & Siddharth Chaitanya
