Equity vs. Equality - The Difference Matters for Women in Tech
A picture is worth a 1000 words. How true especially when you try to communicate something as sensitive as creating equitable workplaces. What does an equitable workplace look like? I chanced upon this image and knew instantly that this simple image said it all.
“Equality” is about giving everyone the same thing. All of them have the opportunity to watch the game. But “Equity” is about fairness and ensuring that all of them have access to the same opportunity.
We must first ensure Equity before we enjoy Equality. The difference matters!
What is the difference? Are we really asking for something special at the expense of our male colleagues?
On my drive into work, I was listening to NPR’s Mina Kim interviewing her guests for a piece titled ”I’m Sorry, But May We Discuss Tentative Speech?”. The entire interview is worth a listen and is about a recent New York Times opinion piece that claimed that women apologize all the time — even when something is not their fault.
LISTEN HERE: http://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/forum/2015/11/Forum20151106b.mp3
However, what caught my attention was a caller named “Jeanine” (listen to Jeanine’s story from 25:31 onwards). Jeanine is transgender and was a very successful male in the business world. As he transitioned into becoming a female in the business world, she now talks about her shocking experience where despite doing what made her successful as a male, she received a lot of feedback asking her to be “nicer” and recounts her experience of people not listening to her. She has had to change and relearn how to be effective in her career as a female now.
The good news is that the tech industry is at least beginning to acknowledge the differences in the employee experience for women technologists vs. their male counterparts. Equity is not just gender based but also extends to people with diversity of thought (introverts vs. extroverts) being perceived as leaders and underrepresented minorities. There is now effort and dollars being put into trying to achieve equitable and inclusive workplaces.
I foresee a future where organizations can create an environment where women like Jeanine and several of you are not caught in a double bind situation. These are situations where women are expected to be assertive yet humble and have to prove themselves constantly despite having experience.
Hopefully in the not so near future, you can bring your whole imperfect self to an equitable and inclusive workplace!
