Push for equity in opportunity so we don’t need reminders

I grew up with a lot of siblings and cousins; I have very fond memories of my childhood. I studied in a school where girls comprised less than one-fifth of the total student population. Most of my friends were boys, and I played with them, exchanged class notes, and gossiped. After school, they diligently attended coaching classes that prepared them for engineering and medicine. I did not have that in my schedule and never questioned, “Why not”? It was understood that they would either become engineers or doctors and if not either, lawyers. Back then I had yet to develop an understanding of how our lives were set on different courses to begin with. 

I have the most wonderful parents. They gave me and my siblings the best of values. But we never discussed vocational training or studying for a professional pursuit. It was enough to be a graduate or a postgraduate and then ‘settle’ down to marital bliss.

But I chose a different path. I chose to break the norm. While I did get married and build a fulfilling personal life, I chose not to be defined by it. Years have passed me by, witnessing me changing tracks from being a journalist to a corporate affairs professional. Through it all, I have held onto my career and my independence, with a lot of support from my family of course.

Today, the society is in a transient stage – changes are happening around us and I do see women flipping the status quo, constantly asking, “Why not”? Women are breaking glass ceilings and getting into male-dominated professions; I am inspired by the grit and determination of women across the spectrum - my daughters, their friends, women like my mother, my peers, women leaders, and many more. It is a lament though that we still have few role models.

A few examples of women in positions of power do not equate to gender equity. Representation is meant to be proportional, and the numbers still don’t add up. I walk into conferences and meeting rooms with barely 1% of women on the podium and in the audience. Clearly, the pie is not balanced yet. The world belongs to all genders in equal proportions. Gender equity must get the energy and sponsorship from all stakeholders. Recognizing that each individual comes from different circumstances, she needs customized resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome as her male counterpart.

International Women’s Day reminds us to push for this equity in opportunity. I wish for a time when we will not need an International Women’s Day to do that for us. I wish for a time when the war cry for equality fades and equity becomes a norm, when education opportunities, jobs, decision-making, promotions, and compensation practices are made equal.

I wish the next decade to belong to an empowered female tribe so that more girls can gain access to brilliant learning opportunities, discuss career paths with belief, and challenge the mindset world over. I wish for a day when our paths are not set on a course based on our gender. Today, as my parents see a multitude of women at high ranks in the workforce, including my younger cousin sisters, flipping the status quo, they mirror my beliefs and my hopes for that of the next generation.

On yet another International Women’s Day when we are pledging to #EmbraceEquity, I couldn’t have agreed more with Abdu’l – Baha who served as head of the Baháʼí Faith from 1892 until 1921, and said, “The World of Humanity is possessed of two wings – the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly.”

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views of exchange4media.com