Why WomenEd?

I was not swayed by Emma Watson’s speech to the United Nations nor Michael Kimmel’s profound TEDWomen presentation. Although I was hugely impressed by Kimmel’s enchanting presentation style. More importantly he left me with one very important reflection.

Privilege is invisible to those who have it. Kimmel 2015

#WomenEd

I wanted to be involved in this “grass roots movement” because some where in my latent memory was a typically Gladwell reference highlighting that gender-equal political systems made for happier countries. I wanted to be involved because I felt WomenEd would benefit from a critical friend, rather than just a critique. I wanted to be involved because, more than  gender equality being fair, right and just, it is in all our interests*. I wanted to be involved to make visible, my own (gender) privilege, before challenging anyone else’s. I wanted to be involved because our profession is in a unique position to influence social culture. I am involved because the enthusiasm and receptiveness of Hannah Wilson.

It turns out, there was more to that memory than gender-equal countries being higher on the happiness scales. It is also good for companies and their workforces. Research by Catalyst has conclusively demonstrated that gender equity promotes a happier labour force, lower turnover, lower levels of attrition, improved recruitment, higher job satisfaction and productivity*.

Education is disproportionately female. I understood that, I just didn’t see how disproportionate – privilege blindness? It was the very presence of #WomenEd on social media that gave me pause for thought and to consider the composition of the senior leadership teams that I have contributed to. Regrettably, the gender inequalities, particularly the progression rate for women at senior leadership level, were reinforced. So I offered my support, to encourage both women and men to get involved and create more gender equitable senior leadership teams. My argument here is simply, that gender equality is not competitive, but co-operative, not a zero-sum, but better for all. That is why I am supporting #WomenEd. If you would like to know more, why not join us at The Wellington Academy in February?