G = (A + W – R) X E
In the last post, i have written the differences between gender equality and gender equity. A friend of mine then asked me a follow up question, which got me thinking. What can we do to achieve Gender Equality if it’s the foundation to create a better world? I have put together a formula to promote gender equality. The Formula goes:
Gender Equality = (Awareness + Willingness – Resistance) X Gender Equity
What do these essential elements mean in this equation? Today, i would like to take you to the journey of my discovery of the formula. I suppose that it will be an ever evolving process.
AWARENESS – in many years of my training development experience, i came to realization that building awareness is the key step in making changes. Unless we recognize and emphasize the importance, the necessities, the benefits and the urgency, the learning content will not be well adapted shortly after the training. Therefore, building awareness is the preparation stage of my formula. It also explains why i am creating this website to gather strength from all of us to help move the mountain.
WILLINGNESS– recently, i listened to a Podcast by an old classmate, who is a legendary individual who is basically considered as a pioneer of career planning in China. In the Podcast on the topic of change management, he talked about the willingness to change is the foundation of change itself. I couldn’t agree more. Only when there is a strong desire to make change, we can change the world of inequality. For thousands of years, the societies (regardless of cultures, religions, ethnicity.) have been accepting, in a sense agreeing, that women is inferior to men, therefore women often became the commodity of trafficking, the weapon of war, the norm to inequality, the outlet for anger. Only when we, men and women, are fed up and commit to, we will continue to suffer. Again and again, we have heard the strong will and mass voices that we need to take steps towards it. I am ready, so are you?
RESISTANCE – airplanes can fly in the sky because it’s engineered to overcome the air resistance. Don’t forget, resistance is a force, a friction that is inevitable yet natural. Since we can’t avoid it, we must face it bravely and act stronger to overcome.
GENDER EQUITY – this is the most crucial element in my equation, as it brings actions and create results. There are many ways to create gender equity, including change of policies, build awareness, change of mind sets, re-distribute resources and responsibilities, enabling and empowering, etc.
Here’s the summary of how I started the journey on this formula.
1. Use your talent and skills to help build awareness, in your own style. I chose to build this blog because i have so many scatter thoughts on the topics. At times, it’s overwhelming inside my head. By writing it out loud along with doing lots of research, the voices became much stronger and clearer. For those of my fellow colleagues that work in the supply chain sustainability, you may use your leverage with your suppliers to build awareness too
2. Summon others to gather strength, create discussion groups
3. Share knowledge and experience, whether it’s positive or negative. the #MeToo movement is one of a great examples of sharing experience through social media
4. Fighting resistance is hardest, especially it’s yourself. There are days that i am discouraged, and doubtful. But, a clear vision with a strong belief is what it takes to overcome the resistant force. When i am down, i come to this blog to gather strength again, because i can envision you knotting your head on the other side of the screen.
5. Talk to your employer, your government representatives, ask the executive board of your organizations (or the stocks which you invested in). What are their policies on gender equality? how do they have diversified to fairly represent and effectively reduce gender gaps?
those are mine actions on the formula of gender equality. What are yours? Would love to hear your goals on it too.