Unpopular opinion: I don’t believe in gender equality. Men and women are NOT the same.
Here’s what I mean -
Equality assumes sameness.
Same opportunity,
same expectation,
same system,
same rules.
Equity means FAIR rules applied for different people.
And the truth is:
👉🏽 Women are still the default primary carers 👉🏽 Men are mostly still the default breadwinners in most households 👉🏽 And men still are expected not to have emotions and get on with life whatever it throws at them
This isn’t just about pay gaps. That conversation is so 2010.
It’s about systems - some created for men, and others for women.
Take sports for example, some are better suited for the male biology.
Others are tailored for females.
Some jobs are physically demanding and although women can do them, are often taken up by men.
Shouldn't that be ok without everyone pretending we are equal?
Women face barriers men will never experience.
And shoving us in spaces built for men denies our experiences, our differences, our strengths, our truth.
I don’t believe women should have to prove they can do dangerous jobs like men. She can if she wants to.
And I don’t believe men should be shamed for not wanting to do them either.
If you box us all in together you're denying that biology, upbringing, and household structures ever existed.
And guess whos STILL left trying to fit in?
Women.
So, say no to gender equality.
Promote gender EQUITY instead.
Heres what that looks like;
✅ Recognising the truth of our differences - and not using them as excuses
✅ Designing work, leadership, and opportunity to reflect reality - not theory
✅ Understanding that not every imbalance is an injustice, but every injustice must be named
I didn’t build my career by asking to be treated the same.
I built it by demanding space to lead fairly, and showing the value that brought.
And all workplaces have gender equity gaps.
You just don't see them.
But they can still land you in Tribunal.
If you're intrigued and want to analyse your gender equity at work, you can sign up to apply our GED (Gender Equity Diagnostic) : https://lnkd.in/eUkF7878
Founder of HR Habitat, award winner of "Best HR & Employment Law Consultancy, 2024" title. As featured in BBC Oline, BBC Asian Network Radio, Telegraph & more.
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