A poignant #BreakTheBias moment for me was back in 2016. Some of my colleagues and I were watching the news on the office TV about the US Presidential Elections. I didn’t have a horse in the race because I’m not a US voter nor did I particularly like any of the candidates. I just asked a question – which seemed innocuous at the time – to the colleague next to me about who they’d choose if they could vote. I got the simple response of, “well, it’s always best if it’s a man.” There was no further elaboration. The man was Donald Trump and his adversary was Hilary Clinton, whom I wasn’t a fan of at all for various reasons – but none of them was because of her gender. I had few conversations with that colleague afterwards.
While such an answer was disappointing, it wasn’t surprising, by any means. The proverbial glass ceiling is very much intact for many women around the world, and in many circumstances, it simply boils down to archaic biases that many choose to believe, even in this day and age, and no matter how lofty the heights that many women in the world have historically reached.
I’ve grown up with many women role models and peers who’ve helped shaped me to become the person I’m proud to be today. This is evidenced, in my eyes, by their achievements and general approach to work and life that not only equal, but surpass, their male counterparts. Stereotypes and discrimination do no one any favours; they limit the realisation of people that can make real, lasting change to their communities. We must turn a corner in making diversity, equitability, and inclusiveness values that are organically embodied within each of us, not just seen as platitudes of our generation.
I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and peers – women, men, and anyone along the spectrum – to #BreakTheBias and pave the way forward for a gender-equal world. Only by working collectively can we make an impactful difference.