#BreaktheBias

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine recently when she brought up the subject of International Women’s Day and I asked her, ‘what happens to women between University and the Boardroom?’ If you have not noticed, allow me share this. At the University, for most courses, you will find more ladies in class compared to the gentlemen. In HR particularly, there are more female HRs compared to men. You will also notice that in most boardrooms, the number of men is quite high compared to ladies which begs the question; what happens in between? I have personally worked in organizations that when a management meeting is called in, I’ve found myself to be the only lady. Maybe as you look around your own organization, just think about it. As we celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, we are called upon to imagine a gender equal world. I believe that so much has been done in order to bridge the gender gap, but there is still room for much much more. In my imagination, a gender equal world would me a world where: Women are visible; not just in terms of tits and thighs but they are seen for what they bring to the table, which is the ability to see beyond the obvious, multitask, ask the hard questions with compassion and make tough calls with humanity. That women’s achievements are not celebrated just because they are a woman but because people can see a human being making a difference in the world. Women have an equal chance with men for boardroom positions & in the boardroom and they actually put themselves out there for such positions instead of ‘waiting to be given’, simply because they are women. ‘Tupewe kwa sababu sisi ni wanawake’ should not be a phrase that should come out of women’s mouths. (I know this is a controversial paragraph but I’m keeping it here). Women are not discriminated against or stereotyped. That the media can finally stop categorizing women with ‘children and people with disabilities’ in the same basket (I write this with due respect for PWDs, no offense kindly). However, for along time I have felt that being a woman has almost been categorized as a disability. Pay is equated with the work and not one’s gender. That women are not paid less for the same roles performed by men on the assumption that women have providers and as such do not need a higher salary. And that work places can provide an environment where women can actually succeed and thrive. Women have a voice in the society which unfortunately sometimes is stifled to the point where a woman is expected to be seen and not heard. With the current