International Women’s day may be over but the conversation
it started is not. That conversation is an opportunity to have that
uncomfortable discussion that everyone avoids or hesitates to participate in
fearing everything from being judged to being challenged on the status quo;
that holds true both for men and women. But isn’t that the point?
In a patriarchal society like Pakistan, its an even harder conversation
to break; men don’t want to be labeled sexist and women don’t want to be labeled
prejudiced. The underlying understanding, however, may even be the same at
times. Although it is part of a much larger topic of ‘diversity and inclusion’
which is very close to my heart and people are generally more receptive to that
over anything women...
If I’d a dollar for every time someone told me I am wherever
I am, is because I am a female, I would be a billionaire (And I would move to Themyscira, for those of you who don't follow
Marvel comics, google it). Me? who spends most of her time with privileged,
academically trained social niche but still feels this way; this ought to be
discussed. So, at the risk of my social likability, I will try to share some logic,
debug some misconceptions and jot down some suggestions.
Diversity by definition is ‘being different’. It means
people from different backgrounds, sexual orientations, cultures, age groups,
religions, gender identification, race etc. When they come together, there is
usually a majority and several minorities. In a truly diverse place there will
be equal representation of all groups. But as long as there is a majority; most of the policy, environment, norms, culture would have been designed and
shaped as per their needs. The largest population diversity that's a minority
at our workplaces is women. (There are even smaller representation from other
minority groups i.e. religious, geographic, differently abled etc. but for this
piece, the focus is on gender, specifically female, diversity)
Now! Why is it important?
Diverse workforce is better representative of the
population it intends to serve. It enables the workforce to deliver to the
needs of the population. Therefore, putting organizations in a better position,
economically. A study by American Management Association states “
more accurately the senior team of a company
represents the demographics of its market, the more likely it is that the
company will design products, market services, and create ad campaigns that
score a hit….. diversity interacted with business strategy in determining
company performance as measured in three different ways: productivity, return
on equity, and market performance”
Diverse and inclusive
organizations are most likely to attract the best talent, making it their
competitive advantage. Positive correlation between diversity and share value has
also been established through research.
Therefore, leaders, think tanks and policy makers introduce
special interventions like quotas, trainings, institutional focuses, special accommodations
etc. to promote and facilitate participation of minority groups in, controlled,
environments. Case in point would be increasing gender, specifically female,
diversity in workplaces. Well everyone responds differently to that; below are
some real-life permutations:
1.
Some men in majority feel threatened; they fear
discrimination (ironically).
2.
Some women in the minority are not ready for
that change either, they are accustomed to the status quo.
3.
Others, both men and women, take the harder road
and pave the way for many more to come. I will call these men and women agents
of change. They choose to take the tougher road with their own ways, capacities
and intentions.
4.
The society largely is not an early adopter to
social changes making it tougher on agents of change. (I, literally, just defined agents of change in the last bullet so this
bullet could sound better)
5.
Policy makers and leaders have to work even
harder to get successful results from these interventions while brining a
balance to the understanding and tolerance levels between the majority and
minority group(s).
What role can we play towards making this journey easier? These
are some of things I, try to, follow:
1.
Respect. Always!
2.
Be an agent of change.
3.
Listen. I
think this is most important! Don't sit in a conversation with a conclusion
and closed mind. Be open to listening. Just listen! Even if you don’t agree. We
live in a society where the social structures and roles are so ingrained in us
that anything challenging that status quo; we not only resist it, we deny it. And
listening each other’s point of view is the first step towards a more inclusive
environment.
4.
Know that you could be wrong.
5.
Support each other.
6.
Share opportunities, be more inclusive.
7.
Avoid making discriminatory jokes, comments or
questions.
8.
Respect. (I know, its already in the list, its
just that important)
We are just touching the tip of the iceberg; this journey is
much more then just female inclusion in the economic activity of the country. Imagine
double the current population pushing the economic wheel forward, what wonders
would that do. But we are far away but moving there. I just hope that we take
more steps forward then backwards.
In
the end, I would like to really thank men and women, and people of other
genders, in my life who have shaped me to be who I am. I can not thank you
enough for shaping me and supporting me. We are one society; lets be there for each other.
