Unconscious gender bias remains a significant barrier to women’s career advancement. It is also difficult to identify and present. Only 5% of CEO's are women, there are more with the name John, than there are women.
We still have some way to go.....
What do we think about it?
What can we do about it?
What are our own experiences?
Let's discuss!
'Unconscious gender bias is defined as unintentional and automatic mental associations based on gender, stemming from traditions, norms, values, culture and/or experience. Automatic associations feed into decision-making, enabling a quick assessment of an individual according to gender and gender stereotypes.'
Check out this Ted Talk from Maureen F. Fitzgerald, a Gender Diversity Advisor. She thinks we need to: Focus on real barriers. Admit that we are bias and challenge those biases. Men and women, if you really want an equal society we have to come together
What do you think?
I’ve found myself toying with the idea of using my shortened name (Alex) or full name (Alexandra) in applications for jobs in the past few years. I go by Alex as a comedian because I’m known more commonly as Alex and sometimes I’ve decided to go by Alex knowing that it’s a perk having a name known for both genders, making it harder for people to pre-judge me. Sad that I feel this way though and have thought about it in this way when no one should be on the receiving end of unconscious gender bias.