You Don’t Have to Wait 202 Years to Bridge the Equal Pay Gap. Here Are Three Things You Can Do Today!
According to The WEF report on equal pay, “it would take societies 202 years to fully bridge the equal pay and 108 years to reach parity.” Do we really need to wait for two centuries to get equal pay and equal rights?
I’ve seen inequality strive and live through hidden societal stereotyping and misconceptions. These are either consciously or unconsciously practiced every day in our personal and professional lives. I firmly believe that until these common misconceptions are fixed, the bridge to ‘everything equality’ may take even longer to build.
If you’re a leader, a man or a woman, with the potential to drive change, here are three things you could contribute to an equal world whether you’re for or against feminist movements.
#1 — Push back on stereotype jokes about women
Notice how stereotyping jokes make for great laughs? Women can’t drive, love shopping, can’t process numbers, love jewelry, love gifts, talk a lot etc. These jokes eventually become a forced identity for women to live with. The next time you watch a popular stand-up comedian use stereotype jokes:Push back. Don’t laugh. Don’t share.
I recently received a video from a friend (who knew I was having a tough week) for a good laugh. What was a well-intended friendly gesture turned into a debate? Luckily, he understood and realized the jokes in the video were sexist when I pointed a few things and asked: Would l want my 7-year-old to watch this video and ‘get used’ to it?
#2 — Push back on compulsory ‘high heels’ dress code
Every day as I walk to my office, I see how young female professionals have to wobble in high-heels while dressed in tight skirts walk into their workplaces. I often wonder if they were comfortable with this dress code?
I once had a conversation with a conference producer and she mentioned that wearing high heels was a mandatory part of the company dress code. She has to walk huge exhibition halls end-to-end all day in her high heels, ending the day with bruises and backache.
It’s baffling that women are still enforced to adhere to a dress code that is uncomfortable and results in severe physical pains.
If you are a leader with some sort of decision making: Push back on this. Take it to the C-suite discussion. You’ll have a good case taking the productivity and health angle. If you are a woman who is not comfortable with high heels, push back. If everyone pushed back, eventually, HR will listen, society will listen.
#3 — Period, PMS & Postpartum are hindering women’s long walk to equality:
I personally experienced the impact of misunderstood PMS and postpartum depression symptoms. It nearly cost me my marriage and my sanity as I was dealing with a new life in a new country, all while also being a mom to my two kids. It was very lonely, I wouldn’t have been able to cope if it wasn’t for the support of my friends and mentors.
Over 75% of women suffer from PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome), some are even incapacitated to do their work or run their lives smoothly for about 4–7 days every month. This affects their productivity, the quality of their personal and family relationships.
If you are the husband to a woman suffering from PMS or postpartum depression, own the issue. Your partner’s PMS is your problem too. If you are celebrating a newborn, postpartum depression is part of the package. Hence, protecting your wife’s well-being is paramount for the happiness of you and your family. If you are a leader and have the power in your company, here is what you can do: Give women flexibility during that week should they need it.
The question is: are we truly willing to live in a world where our daughters and granddaughters can get equal pay and equal rights without having to fight for it? If yes, start your small pushbacks today.
