International Women’s Day - Break the Bias
Mandy Marshall, Director for Gender Justice, Anglican Communion Office.
‘When is International Men’s Day?’ This has been the most common response over the last few years when I have posted about International Women’s Day. The answer is November 19th. (Although some women would say the rest of the year!). This causes me to wonder why there is such a visceral reaction by some to focussing on one sex for one day? Is there a fear of bias? Favouritism? Jealousy? I believe it ultimately is about fear of loss, the loss of power, the loss of control, the fear of the unknown.
I recall being in Liberia one year and training national staff on gender equality and justice. I enjoyed the training because the men were very honest about their thoughts, feelings, and concerns (read that as loud discussion, debate and occasional shouting). After a while I asked one of the men what did they fear the most about equality? Why were they so concerned? One man stood up and honestly said ‘because we fear if they have more power than us then they might do to us what we have done to them.’
Needless to say, that opened up the discussion about changing behaviour and what a true discipleship of Christ looked like today.
It does raise the concern of fear. Fear is often deep-rooted and not so obvious. We fear change because we don’t have a vision of what that positive change may bring. We may fear that in a new and different future we may lose out. These fears are natural to us all yet our response to the fears vary widely. Who do we ultimately trust for our future? Do we truly rely on God? Are we obedient to God’s calling and discipleship on our lives that invites us into a deeper, intimate relationship with God?
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Break the Bias’, #BreakTheBias with a symbolic crossing of arms in front of the body and face. The aim is to raise awareness of the systemic, structural, cultural and personal bias that exists in achieving gender equality so we achieve a sustainable tomorrow. Practically this can be calling out sexism when and wherever you see and hear it. It means challenging sexist jokes and ‘banter’ that denigrates women. It is about being prepared to lobby for change in your workplace for equal pay and for publishing gender pay gaps (which is different to equal pay).
Each one of us can make a change. This International Women’s Day how will you Break The Bias?
More info here IWD: IWD 2022 campaign theme: #BreakTheBias (internationalwomensday.com)