José Zeilstra on Gender Fair app | Council for Inclusive Capitalism posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

Title: Celebrating Gender Equality: Embracing the Balance of Masculinity and FemininityIn today's rapidly evolving world, conversations around gender roles, stereotypes, and equality have gained significant attention. One crucial topic that has sparked intense discussions is toxic masculinity. It is essential to challenge our preconceived notions and foster a balanced perspective that promotes gender harmony. Recently, I had an enlightening conversation with Acumen Talk with Mr. Musakuzi , which shattered my misconceptions and opened my eyes to a new understanding. In this article, I aim to share the valuable insights I gained from our dialogue, emphasizing the importance of celebrating both masculinity and femininity while striving for gender equality.Understanding Toxic Masculinity:In the past, I firmly believed in the concept of toxic masculinity, blaming the entire male gender for the negative actions of a few. However, Mwika helped me recognize that toxic masculinity doesn't truly exist. Instead, it is toxic men who engage in harmful behavior while invoking the name of masculinity. Just as it would be unjust to hold all women responsible for the actions of toxic women, we cannot generalize and blame masculinity for the faults of a select few.Appreciating Gender Diversity:Mwika beautifully simplified the idea by drawing upon the concept of yin and yang, highlighting the necessity of both masculinity and femininity for a balanced society. Celebrating gender diversity allows us to embrace the unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences that individuals bring to the table. By recognizing and appreciating our differences, we foster an environment that encourages collaboration, growth, and understanding.Moving Beyond Gender Wars:One crucial takeaway from my conversation with Mwika is that a few toxic individuals should not be allowed to define an entire gender. It is time to transcend gender wars and focus on cultivating an environment where all individuals are valued equally. Recognizing the importance of both masculinity and femininity can help us dismantle harmful stereotypes, allowing us to create a society that respects and empowers all individuals, regardless of gender.Striving for Gender Equality:Acknowledging physiological differences between males and females should not hinder our pursuit of gender equality. Rather, it should reinforce the idea that true equality lies in celebrating our unique qualities while ensuring equitable opportunities for all. By shifting our focus from divisive arguments to collaborative efforts, we can work towards creating a society that recognizes and uplifts the potential and contributions of every individual.

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Gender equality in textile companies is crucial for fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. It involves ensuring equal opportunities, treatment, and representation for all genders throughout the organization. Promoting gender equality starts with fair and unbiased recruitment and hiring practices. Textile companies should strive to eliminate any gender-based discrimination during the hiring process and focus on selecting candidates based on their skills, qualifications, and potential for growth.Once employed, it is important to provide equal opportunities for career development and advancement. This includes offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development initiatives to all employees, regardless of their gender. By creating a level playing field for career growth, textile companies can empower employees to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of the organization.Additionally, promoting work-life balance and flexibility is crucial for achieving gender equality. Textile companies should implement policies that support employees in balancing their personal and professional responsibilities, such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and caregiving support. Providing these benefits not only supports employees' well-being but also helps to break down traditional gender roles and stereotypes.Creating a safe and inclusive work environment is also essential. Textile companies should have policies in place to prevent and address any form of harassment or discrimination based on gender. This includes implementing awareness programs, providing training on unconscious bias, and establishing reporting mechanisms to ensure that all employees feel safe and respected.

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The moderator asked me ‘What change can shift perspectives on gender equality? in the recent Changemaker 20 summit.My answer - For people to be Gender intentional and not Gender Neutral. The laziest thing an organization can do, is to be gender neutral. Speaking from experience, a gender neutral approach would be useless at the best, or harmful at the worst. Let’s explore it through an example -Imagine a scenario at a tech startup called "InnovateTech." It’s time for promotion and appraisal conversations with the HR. The company says that they make the decision on the basis of performance over last year, self evaluation and a 1:1 private conversation about what the employee thinks they deserve. The company claims as an effort to actively combat gender gap and encourage women in STEM, they create this space where regardless of the gender - everyone gets to voice their demands. Shivani and Tanmay, two highly skilled software engineers of equal experience, joined ‘InnovateTech’ around the same time last year. They however work in different teams. When the time came for Shivani’s negotiation discussion, she hesitated. The company presented their offer, which, while competitive (8% hike), didn't reflect the true value of Shivani skills and contributions. However, Shivani, feeling the weight of societal norms and a lack of confidence, accepted the offer without pushing for more.Tanmay on the other hand, demanded for a 25% hike. After a round of negotiations, the company agreed on a 15% hike to their original offer. Here's where the crucial difference between gender-neutral and gender-intentional negotiation will become apparent. A gender-neutral approach treats everyone the same, assuming that the playing field is level. Which is never true. Societal expectations, confidence gaps, and systemic biases can impact an individual's ability to negotiate effectively.Being gender-intentional means recognizing these disparities and proactively addressing them. It means acknowledging that someone like Shivani might need additional support, encouragement, and guidance to confidently advocate for their worth. In a gender-intentional negotiation, the company might have taken steps to mentor Shivani through the negotiation process, offering resources and tailored advice to boost her confidence.Towards the end of my talk, I urged the audience that if there is one thing you take away from my talk, let it be this. As an entrepreneur, as a changemaker, as a corporate leader - be gender intentional and not gender neutral.

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🚫 Let's Ditch the "Bossy" Label: Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion in the Workplace!👀 Have you ever heard someone describe a woman as "bossy"? Or "Aggressive"? Or "Emotional"? 😥 Unfortunately, if it did, you are not alone: words like "Bossy" or "Aggressive" or "emotional" are way more frequently used to label women and minorities than men. Few weeks ago, I delivered a few presentations for International Women's Day on how to foster more inclusive and psychological safety work place cultures and I brought some of the stats and reasons for the disparities we have in our society. Non-inclusive and gender-biased language being one of the most problematic issues.👼 Despite its seemingly innocent appearance, these words carry a heavy weight of gender bias and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It's time to recognise the negative impact of such language and take action to foster more inclusive workplace environments.When we label minorities as "bossy", we are not only undermining their authority but also perpetuating inequalities by discouraging minorities from taking on leadership roles. Moreover, it can erode their confidence and contribute to a hostile work environment.📉 The consequences of using biased language like "bossy" are far-reaching. It can lead to decreased morale, productivity, and innovation within teams. It also sends a message that minorities are not valued or respected for their contributions, ultimately hindering their professional growth and advancement opportunities.As professionals committed to promoting more health and inclusive places, it is our responsibility to challenge and dismantle such stereotypes in the workplace. 💪 Instead of labeling women as "bossy," let's recognize and celebrate their leadership skills, assertiveness, and ability to drive positive change. Let's create a culture where everyone feels empowered to lead and contribute their unique perspectives.Here are some actionable steps we can take to combat bias in our workplace:👉 Educate ourselves and others about the impact of bias and discriminatory language.👉 Foster open dialogue and encourage colleagues to speak up when they witness or experience bias.👉 Provide training and resources on unconscious bias awareness and inclusive leadership practices.👉 Advocate for policies and practices that promote equality and support the advancement of women in leadership roles.👉 Lead by example and actively challenge stereotypes in our interactions and decision-making processes.👉 When following, promoting, hiring professionals on inclusion, please ensure they are qualified and real experts on the topics. Inclusion is not a nice to have and a fluffy word, and it requires solid knowledge and expertise.🙏 Let's pledge to ditch the "bossy" label and embrace a culture of respect, equality, and empowerment for all.*Sources in the comments.#GenderEquality #InclusiveLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpowerWomen #ChallengeGenderBias

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We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture - a thrive or die moment - in gender equality. We either make every effort to accelerate and progress, or we risk it becoming moribund, held to ransom by inertia, the so-called men's rights movement, and apathy. This moment demands a radical reexamination of our values. Let's delve into the quintessential importance of gender equality in corporate human rights. Here are 5 good reasons gender equality is a strategic imperative.1. Unleashing the Full Spectrum of Talent: Every mind, regardless of gender, is an uncut diamond, waiting to be sculpted into brilliance. By embracing gender equality, we unlock the gates to a world where innovation and creativity know no bounds. Diverse perspectives foster unique problem-solving approaches, driving companies toward new dimensions of growth.2. Cultivating Inclusive Leadership: Inclusion is not merely an initiative, but a cornerstone of enlightened leadership. When we afford equal opportunities for men and women to ascend the ranks, we sow the seeds of empowerment and mentorship. These leaders, grounded in empathy, guide organisations toward ethical and sustainable success.3. Enhancing Organisational Resilience: A tree with deep roots laughs at the storm, and so do corporations with gender-inclusive policies. Embracing diversity prepares us to face uncertainties with resilience. Varied experiences and backgrounds fortify our collective capacity to adapt, ensuring our endeavors stand the test of time.4. Elevating Brand Integrity: Corporate integrity hinges upon congruence between words and actions. In today's interconnected world, authenticity resonates. By prioritising gender equality, we send a resounding message of ethical values, resonating with conscious consumers and bolstering long-term brand loyalty.5. Empowering Communities and Societies: Our influence as corporations reverberates beyond boardrooms, reaching the corners of society. Gender equality initiatives extend an olive branch to communities, spurring economic growth and fostering societal harmony. As we advance, we illuminate a path for others to follow, creating a legacy of progress.In essence, gender equality is not a matter of altruism; it's an astute business decision. It's the embodiment of our commitment to shaping a world where every individual thrives, where corporate success is intertwined with social progress. The pursuit of gender equality is both a moral and strategic imperative.Always remember that the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest that defines the future. A future without corporate gender equality is unthinkable. What do you think? Can we ever attach too high a priority to gender equality in our organisations?#CorporateHumanity #GenderEqualityMatters #InclusiveLeadership #EthicalBusiness #Empowerment Iselin Human Rights Ltd

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It’s International Women's Day is this Friday, 8th March And to kick off a week of celebrations at Tesco i was asked to share a colleague story with the Gender Equality Network on inspiring inclusion.Here it is ….i hope you enjoy“I know that in my role as Store Manager it's so important to Inspire Inclusion in all that I do.After 28 years of experience, I have the unique opportunity to challenge the status quo in stores. I try my best to be an active ally in all that I do which often requires me to be brave and sometimes embrace uncomfortable feelings or situations. This can be in store, at meetings or talent planning with other store managers, however by doing this I've seen that the rewards are huge.And the good news is that things are changing.When I got asked to share "my story" of what Gender Equality means to me i was able to think easily of many examples of inclusion from within all the Tesco Networks in my store - my view is that inspiring inclusion doesn't just mean picking one network but ensuring you have visibility within them all in store.That way they grow together, side by side with colleagues knowing that each of them have a place in store & that everyone is always welcome. When I started at Worcester Superstore, I quickly noticed that more than half of the colleagues in my team identify as female. So, you would expect that naturally opportunities and roles would have the same split showing Gender Equality. Historically that's not always been the case with some roles seen to be stereotypically male or female but I try to always challenge these perceptions especially usually at any recruitment stages with my team.Within my Leadership Team in store, through appointments made, 55% identify as female & 45% as male meaning that I now benefit from a wide range of skills and personality that I feel better represent the values in my store. Some of these appointments have involved making some working adjustments to support the colleague in their role and also to manage their family commitments. But they have been worthwhile allowing the colleague to thrive and be at their best.I really feel that this approach has also led to an improved performance across many measures in store - which means an improved shopping trip for my customers.Looking ahead, my current talent pipeline has a high female representation with many in store now choosing to pursue a career with Tesco.Being an active ally is a lifelong learning process and there's always more i can do to show active allyship but my advice would be that often it's only small adjustments that make the biggest difference to many. Being open to learning from others and in turn developing yourself is the first step to helping everyone feel more included at work.I'm looking forward to the future in store and helping to create more opportunities for everyone”#Gender #Equality #Tesco #iwd2024 #Inclusion #Diversity #Network #Future #Talent #Worcester #Investing

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🌟 Celebrating International Women's Day: Moving Beyond Rituals 🌟Dear Connections,As we celebrate International Women's Day across Indian corporates, it's crucial to reflect on the true essence of gender equality and inclusivity. While we often recite the famous Sanskrit sloka "Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devata," which translates to "Where women are honored, there the gods dwell," it's essential to move beyond mere words and rituals and actively foster an environment of respect and inclusivity.The reality is that mere reverence in words doesn't always translate to equitable treatment in practice. It's high time we bridge this gap between rhetoric and reality, both in our homes and workplaces. Here are some simple yet impactful tips to cultivate a culture of respect and inclusivity:1️⃣ Educate and Empower: Encourage ongoing education and awareness about gender equality issues. Provide training sessions, workshops, and resources to employees to understand unconscious biases and promote diversity.2️⃣ Foster Inclusive Leadership: Promote inclusive leadership practices that value diverse perspectives and actively involve women in decision-making processes. Ensure equal opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles.3️⃣ Create Safe Spaces: Establish a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves without fear of discrimination or harassment. Implement clear policies and procedures to address any incidents promptly and effectively.4️⃣ Promote Work-Life Balance: Recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of employees, including flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and support for caregiving responsibilities, to foster a healthy work-life balance.5️⃣ Lead by Example: As leaders and influencers, lead by example by advocating for gender equality and demonstrating inclusive behaviors in your interactions and decision-making processes.6️⃣ Listen and Act: Actively listen to the experiences and perspectives of women and other marginalized groups in your organization. Take their feedback seriously and take concrete actions to address any barriers or challenges they face.7️⃣ Celebrate Diversity: Embrace diversity in all its forms and celebrate the unique contributions of women to your organization's success. Recognize and amplify their achievements, both publicly and internally.Remember, creating a truly inclusive and respectful environment requires continuous effort and commitment from all of us. Let's not just pay lip service to gender equality but actively work towards making it a reality in our homes and workplaces. Together, we can build a more equitable and inclusive future for all.#InternationalWomensDay#Inclusivity#DiversityandInclusion#Equality#Empowerment#vgperspectives

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IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CLARA ZETKIN & ROSA LUXEMBURG WERE FIGHTING FOR? My International Women’s Day started at 4 am due to the time difference with my client, we discussed the recruitment, meanwhile, I had a sleepy existential crisis. What do women want? Can we say that all historical struggles had an impact?🙅♀️ That’s not about having an official holiday in post-Soviet countries.🙅♀️ That’s not about the corpo-post “we care about female employees” once per year.🙅♀️ That’s not even about flowers and chocolates.That’s about the CHOICE that all humans, who put “F” in the gender column have now that wasn’t available previously.Now I have a choice to wake up at 4 am to make breakfast for my husband or to have a business call or not to wake up at all.I can be Ms. or Mrs. or Dr. in my 27.I can use ChatGPT to generate cooking receipts or to help with the preparation of HR instructions for my client.I can drive a car, vote, work, if I want, or do something else, if not. Do we have more options now? YES.Have we achieved gender equality yet? NO. Do I still face sexism/ harassment/ biases/ stereotypes only because of my gender? Yes.Will I still be judged for being too bossy/ambitious/direct “for women”? Yes. Will the same characteristics be perceived as normal for men? YesDo I still need to check if the country I am traveling to is “female-safe”? YesAnd many more.Do I dream about dropping everything and becoming a desperate housewife from time to time? Yes, I do. Do I dream of climbing Corpo ladder and becoming a new VP of the world? Yes, I also do. Do I dream about helping people develop their businesses, traveling the world, cooking the best food, looking like a Barbie doll, being a TED talk speaker/Nobel prize winner/tarot reader/cat parent, and many more? I do, from time to time.Today, I dream of having a gender equality day every day. P.S. The picture you see below is generated with Dall E 2. My prompt was "to create a visually attractive professional postcard for IWD without gender stereotypes". It took me 4 attempts to go through "pink-flowers-dresses" to have that result and I still don't understand why AI generated women look like supermodels.#IWD2024 #BreakTheBias #GenderEquality #InvestInWomen

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We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture - a thrive or die moment - in gender equality. We either make every effort to accelerate and progress, or we risk it becoming moribund, held to ransom by inertia, the so-called men's rights movement, and apathy. This moment demands a radical reexamination of our values. Let's delve into the quintessential importance of gender equality in corporate human rights. Here are 5 good reasons gender equality is a strategic imperative.1. Unleashing the Full Spectrum of Talent: Every mind, regardless of gender, is an uncut diamond, waiting to be sculpted into brilliance. By embracing gender equality, we unlock the gates to a world where innovation and creativity know no bounds. Diverse perspectives foster unique problem-solving approaches, driving companies toward new dimensions of growth.2. Cultivating Inclusive Leadership: Inclusion is not merely an initiative, but a cornerstone of enlightened leadership. When we afford equal opportunities for men and women to ascend the ranks, we sow the seeds of empowerment and mentorship. These leaders, grounded in empathy, guide organisations toward ethical and sustainable success.3. Enhancing Organisational Resilience: A tree with deep roots laughs at the storm, and so do corporations with gender-inclusive policies. Embracing diversity prepares us to face uncertainties with resilience. Varied experiences and backgrounds fortify our collective capacity to adapt, ensuring our endeavors stand the test of time.4. Elevating Brand Integrity: Corporate integrity hinges upon congruence between words and actions. In today's interconnected world, authenticity resonates. By prioritising gender equality, we send a resounding message of ethical values, resonating with conscious consumers and bolstering long-term brand loyalty.5. Empowering Communities and Societies: Our influence as corporations reverberates beyond boardrooms, reaching the corners of society. Gender equality initiatives extend an olive branch to communities, spurring economic growth and fostering societal harmony. As we advance, we illuminate a path for others to follow, creating a legacy of progress.In essence, gender equality is not a matter of altruism; it's an astute business decision. It's the embodiment of our commitment to shaping a world where every individual thrives, where corporate success is intertwined with social progress. The pursuit of gender equality is both a moral and strategic imperative.Always remember that the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest that defines the future. A future without corporate gender equality is unthinkable. What do you think? Can we ever attach too high a priority to gender equality in our organisations?#CorporateHumanity #GenderEqualityMatters #InclusiveLeadership #EthicalBusiness #Empowerment Iselin Human Rights Ltd

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Gender equality in textile companies is crucial for fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. It involves ensuring equal opportunities, treatment, and representation for all genders throughout the organization. Promoting gender equality starts with fair and unbiased recruitment and hiring practices. Textile companies should strive to eliminate any gender-based discrimination during the hiring process and focus on selecting candidates based on their skills, qualifications, and potential for growth.Once employed, it is important to provide equal opportunities for career development and advancement. This includes offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development initiatives to all employees, regardless of their gender. By creating a level playing field for career growth, textile companies can empower employees to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of the organization.Additionally, promoting work-life balance and flexibility is crucial for achieving gender equality. Textile companies should implement policies that support employees in balancing their personal and professional responsibilities, such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and caregiving support. Providing these benefits not only supports employees' well-being but also helps to break down traditional gender roles and stereotypes.Creating a safe and inclusive work environment is also essential. Textile companies should have policies in place to prevent and address any form of harassment or discrimination based on gender. This includes implementing awareness programs, providing training on unconscious bias, and establishing reporting mechanisms to ensure that all employees feel safe and respected.

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