KUCHING: Celebrated on March 8 annually, this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD)—themed “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”—challenges everyone to confront bias.
IWD provides a platform to help forge positive change for women through its global awareness campaign, #BreakTheBias.
What does a world free of bias look like?
A world free of stereotype and discrimination is diverse, equitable and inclusive where difference is valued and celebrated.
Here are some of the public’s thoughts on how to realise gender equality.
FATINI FADZIL, Project Manager
Women pay a price when they defy stereotype and break expectations about how they should act. Dominant women are viewed as less likeable and employable than men.
Women should move confidently into male-dominated areas and speak up to help raise awareness.
Role models play a crucial role in promoting gender equality and fighting gender stereotype.
Women also should anticipate and prepare to react to inappropriate or discriminating comments.
To achieve equality, expose the next generation to gender equality in learning institutions, including households, until it becomes the norm.
REENA AKING, Assistant Qa/Qc Engineer
Women are independent. They can do whatever, with or without men. They are not supposed to only take care of the home.
Women should prove that they also capable of doing anything, especially when it comes to leadership; women can lead too.
In a male-dominated environment, women’s opinions must be taken into account.
In order for the world to achieve equality, men have to change their mindset that says women can’t lead.
ESTHER FANIA THOMAS, Trainee Teacher
Allow all genders, especially female workers, to have freedom of speech and opinion. They are allowed to do any task and promoted to any high position.
Women are not weak physically or mentally. They can take on as many challenges as men.
Do not let stereotype and bias towards feminism affect women’s voice.
Men need to be fair in giving treatment and opportunity to both genders. Any discrimination needs to be pointed out, rather than silenced.
NUR SHAFIRA MOHD FARID PERKER, Announcer
It is undeniable that men have they own thoughts by assuming women cannot lead the team and they do not really trust when women lead the team, but actually women can.
To counteract is not easy but the only way to do is only by empathy. Understand the situation and surrounding, especially when at workplace.
NORLIZA KASIM, Account Admin Assistant
Women are generally expected to dress in traditionally feminine and polite ways. Stop expecting us to dress femininely just to impress a man.
In my view, women dress and make up accordingly for themselves.
We can’t satisfy everyone who doesn’t have the same idea. Especially at the workplace, you do you. Finish your task, settle your duty, you may voice out your positive thinking and keep on giving out positive vibes and eventually the negative thoughts will slowly fade away.
A positive vibe is the greatest resistance to a negative environment.
Men should stop being judgmental but be positive instead. Spread positive vibes.
