5 things I can do to help Women and Girls in the Workplace…
And I can do them throughout the year …
8 March 2019
Every year around Int’l Women‘s Day we see a dramatic rise in articles on how the world would /could change for the better if women received their due share of access to nutrition, health services, educational opportunities, employment prospects etc etc …
A common factor in many of these very good articles and analyses is that they are directed to Governments, institutions, people in very high levels of authority and/or just someone else
This year, I want to share with you 5 actions that many of us, men and women working in an office environment can do, on a fairly regular basis. Actions that are known to make a change in the confidence and lives of women, especially young women. This not an exhaustive list or a perfect list, this is my list for 2019 that I am sharing...
1. Give a seat at the table: In many offices, young women irrespective of position and role are not likely to take a seat the table during a meeting. They often take the seats that are behind...if you see this, encourage them to join those around the table. It is so much easier to be part of the conversation when you are part of the group rather than behind…
2. Do not expect only the female colleagues, especially younger female colleagues to serve drinks and food: If you see this happening, step in, help your female colleague, and set a new trend...be man enough to serve
3. If you hear someone making suggestive remarks around a female colleague -don’t laugh and find a way to stop the person making the inappropriate remarks: Women have learnt to ignore, accept, even train themselves to laugh and pretend they do not care. They are tough and can handle it, but rarely do they enjoy sexually suggestive comments and even more rarely will they speak up against them...know that they do not enjoy them. Speak to colleagues about this at a time and place that you are comfortable to do so.
4. Encourage male colleagues to share child care responsibilities: How many of us see that female colleagues regularly take time off for child care, be it a school event to a sick child. Over the years, this builds into changes for women at work: women will take roles that call for less responsibility, women will be perceived to be less available.. Less responsible and consequently have fewer career opportunities. Have a conversation at work about how male colleagues can take time time off for child care /family responsibilities. Encourage a conversation at work on more equal sharing of child care and household chores especially when both spouses work. Children, who see fathers engaged in child and household responsibilities, are more likely to follow the pattern.
5. If you see an all-male meeting/ panel /event/ photo of event: Suggest including women, ask where are the women , there is always a female colleague who is qualified and available to join. Research shows that companies and boards with a gender balance perform better.
In Lao PDR,
- 1 in 20 adolescent girls aged 15-19 have never attended school.
- 1 in 10 girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing.
- 1 in 5 girls aged 15-19 have dropped out of school.
A woman who has made it to the workplace has surmounted obstacles already, for the good of the workplace, well-being of the employees, growth of the economy and most importantly because it’s the right thing to do…Please think of this, consider practicing this, I know I will...I hope you will too. Change starts with each one of us, change starts with me…
Mariam A. Khan
UNFPA Representative, Lao PDR
UNFPA works to help every young person realise their full potential. We do this by
Reducing maternal deaths, ensuring every pregnancy is by choice not by chance, addressing gender-based violence and harmful practices. #Noi 2030 #ICPD@25, # UNFPA@50
