On this International Women’s Day, there are a couple of things I wanted to jot down.
1️⃣ I’ve just discovered The Receipts Podcast fronted by Tolly T and Audrey. Episode 192 features feminist activist and founder of The Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates. They discuss the complexity of modern-day misogyny, the implications of porn on young people and more.
The statistics shared are staggering; Andrew Tate’s content has been viewed 14 billion times on TikTok - more than the number of people on the planet.
It’s tough, but a must-listen.
2️⃣ After listening to some inspiring IWD presentations at work yesterday (and learning that the World Economic Forum believes it will take another 131 years to reach gender parity 😮) a memory from one of my first roles in HR suddenly resurfaced from the depths.
I was in my early 20s; eager, hardworking and quietly ambitious. One day, a (male) Director said that the (male) MD wanted to see me, and I was summoned to his office.
I tapped on the door nervously and waited to be called in, hoping I could answer a question he might have or provide an update etc.
“Hi,” I said cheerfully, “How can I help?”
“No reason, Nicola. Someone told me you were wearing knee-high boots and I just wanted to take a look”, said the MD OF THE ENTIRE COMPANY with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face, before casually returning to his paperwork.
(They were flat, smart long boots by the way. I don’t even know why I’m explaining that, but… that’s what we do, right?]
I was shocked. Humiliated. Silently fuming. I returned to my desk with my head down, red-faced. One moment of belittlement and power exertion had made me feel worthless.
Reflecting, I realise how deeply ingrained experiences like this are, especially when you’re young and just starting your career.
If the same thing happened to me now, my reaction would be very, very different - I’m certain of that.
It’s just, I wish I could go back and tell that shy, 20-something that, although there’s a very long way to go, there’s hope.
Stick it out.
There are clever, brilliant women like Laura Bates now, speaking to other clever, brilliant women like Tolly and Audrey.
The Everyday Sexism Project, which exists to catalogue these niggling instances of sexism that, seemingly minor to some people, can stay with you very for a long time.
We are talking and stating facts and campaigning and doing all we can to tackle misogyny.
So, you don’t need to silently seethe about this on your own.
Happy #iwd. Don’t take any nonsense 💪🏻❤️
Powerful and important words. 'Don’t take any nonsense'. Spot on.