Given that it will take over 200 years to close the gender economic gap, both men and women should commit to action, not just words, starting today to achieve gender parity for future generations, speakers at Feminism Defined: Bringing All to the Conversation of Gender Equality, agreed.
The first step towards closing the gap is awareness or recognition of the challenges, followed by action – no matter how big or small – from everyone.
“With a mere 16 percent of women in leadership roles and only 8 percent as CEOs, we have a problem, we’re not progressing when it comes to gender equality. Diversity and inclusion lead to higher productivity, increased innovation and higher profits. Studies show that if gender equality is achieved it would add $12 trillion to the global GDP,” said Emma Burdett, founder of WILD, Women in Leadership Deliver, the start-up behind the Feminism Defined event, held in late March, with the goal of challenging the status quo and bringing awareness on gender equality.
“So what are we waiting for? It all starts with awareness and I want you to know that we can all play our part no matter how small. We have the power to make a difference for this generation and the next generation, for a sustainable future,” she added.
Burdett said she created the event because she was “shocked about the lack of awareness surrounding gender economic equality,” giving the example of how, when planning for this event early-on, a man advised her not to use the word feminism in the title as the “men would run a mile.”
But Burdett explained said it was precisely for this reason that she created this gathering, highlighting the role of male allies in the journey towards gender economic equality and asking the audience to “imagine a world where we lead together, men and women side by side.”
“When you leave this room today, I want you to know that the actions you take, the decisions you make, the environments we build and the inclusive teams we create, matter,” she said.
“Let’s come together, break down barriers and biases, and change the social norm. Let us be role models, paving the way for this generation, the next generation and the one after that. Let’s make our society and the world a better place, for what we know is when women in leadership deliver, we all win; our economy and our society drive. Let’s make this movement move and may we all be the change that we so desperately wish to see,” added Burdett.
Role of men in gender equality
Expanding on the need for men to advocate for gender equality alongside women, Staff Writer, editor in chief of Arabian Business, referenced his early career and fatherhood experiences.
“For me personally, my true journey to diversity started on November the 15th 2015 when my daughter was born. It was the awesome lens of fatherhood through which I finally saw the inequality in the world and recognised it for what it was. Suddenly it was personal in a way that it had never been before: my daughter’s opportunities should be defined by her talent, through that meritocracy I’ve always believed in.” he said.
“My message today is mostly for the fathers. Diversity means we need to add our voices and be loud to protect our daughters from inequality, so they can be all they can be and achieve their true potential. Because ultimately, isn’t that our job?” Armstrong asked.
Quoting Gary Parker, the president and CEO of Promundo, in the study Status of the World’s Fathers, Armstrong continued: “It’s absolutely clear that fathers can play a vital role in changing the conversation around gender equality with their children. Equally important to the conversation, are fathers’ actions. Fathers actively seek to empower their daughters who identify as feminists and teach them that feminism is an essential source of change to make a massive difference. Essentially, we, the dads, need to be the change our daughters need to see the world.”
It is within this context that Gloria Mamwa, head of property, MEA Standard Chartered bank, delivered her keynote address highlighting the right balance in gender equality.
“If it is going to take 208 years to close the gender gap, our granddaughters will still have 91 years to wait to get gender parity in the workplace. If we continue at the pace that we’re going today, we will not get there for anyone in our lifetime,” said Mamwa.
“We need to rise up, add our voice to the conversation and take ownership of what it will take to make a difference. It’s an extraordinary moment for all of us because we’re all coming to the table, we’re all sitting here. All the reports, whatever you read, are talking about raising women but it is talk, we need action,” she continued.
“So it’s my hope that with the little that you’ve heard from me today, man or woman, that you have a voice. It’s not for yourself: think about your sister, your niece, your daughter, your granddaughter, your great granddaughter …they can’t wait 136 years for this to change. Let’s make sure we get the balance right,” added Mamwa.
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