International Women’s Day: Women Supporting Women
By Lindsay Bissett
“Women come from a whole range of backgrounds. If our visions of peace don’t include these differences, then our peace will be partial.” – Kimberle Williams Crenshaw
This International Women’s Day let us focus on women supporting women. It is a fact that women already do this, but it is also a fact that we can do it more.
How do you feel when you hear the phrase women supporting women? Do you feel excited? Do you feel included? Do you feel that is something you are already doing? Or does the phrase women supporting women make you cringe? Much like the phrase girl-boss? It’s ok to feel a variety of ways; as a matter of fact, how you feel about the phrase is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the differences within one group: women.
Feminism, and women supporting women, means embracing and supporting differences. Meeting people where they are at. Equity vs. equality. Intersectionality.
Leaning deeper into the topic of intersectionality, what makes women different from one another? Race, religion, political beliefs. Some being co-parents, solo parents, in blended families, some child-free. Different ages, body sizes, disability, socio-economic status and gender assigned at birth. How can we assure we are embracing all the unique things that make someone who they are?
Suspend judgement.
I was recently certified for Mental Health First Aid and a huge topic during the course was suspending judgement. How can we offer the appropriate supports to someone who is different than us? The magic ingredient is empathy. Put yourself in their shoes. Put your personal beliefs aside. It’s not always easy but practice makes progress.
Everyone has value.
Once we’ve embraced each other’s differences, suspended our judgement, and stand firmly in the fact that everyone has value, we can dig into the how when it comes to support.
Mentorship.
Women, we can give and receive mentorship. Remember, we are not aiming to be more like men but be more ourselves. Reminding each other, and society, that what makes us women and makes us unique is valuable.
Workplace flexibility.
Heard of the Great Resignation? While not a solely female issue, it is worth mentioning. Research from Catalyst shows up to 76% of employees want their company to make work permanently flexible in terms of things like schedule or location. Companies and leaders need to ask themselves, what does flexibility mean to you? Have you asked your employees? Do your “sick days” have flexible usage for things like childcare and eldercare? Remember, women often take on the bulk of additional unpaid work such as caregiving for family, and domestic chores.
Pay equality.
Yup, we are still talking about this. 76.8 cents on average is earned by full-time working women in Canada for every dollar men make. The gender pay gap is wider for women who are Indigenous, living with a disability, racialized or newcomers. We must do better. The best time to start would have been 100+ years ago, the next best time is right now. Where to start? Audit your employees pay, find the gaps, act accordingly. Another great place to start? Post salary ranges on job postings. This is an inclusive action that not only supports closing the gender pay gap but barriers to pay equity for all demographics.
Your call to action.
As mentioned in 5 Ways to Work Towards Gender Equity in the Workplace — Leda HR, you do not have to do it all today, but you do have to start. In the words of Malala Yousafzai, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
To learn more about Intersectionality start with:
Kimberlé Crenshaw: The urgency of intersectionality | TED Talk (Trigger Warning: Discussion of violence)
About Lindsay Bissett:
By day Lindsay is a Wellness and Disability Management Consultant, with a flair for social media and mental health advocacy. By night she is a mother of two, green smoothie aficionado, podcast listener, and active glamper.
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Lindsay Bissett (@LindsayBissett) / Twitter