Break the bias - International Women's Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we wanted to help spread the word about on this year’s “Break the Bias” theme, and why it is so important that opportunities are equal and free from discrimination or stereotypes for all genders.

Unfortunately, we do not need to look too far to find examples where inequality between genders is prevelent. In just the medical arena alone, there are very real and evidenced examples of a gender bias across healthcare which includes gaps in medical research, disbelief in women’s symptoms and a lack of research and diagnoses for women (source: IWD: IWD 2022 campaign theme: #BreakTheBias)

If you then consider the disparities which can be seen between genders educationally, professionally within relationships and outside in communities (to name but a few), it can feel as though the gender inequality issue is too big to try and break.

Working within fostering, you may also see young women feeling even more disadvantaged as they are moving towards independence and face the different labels and misconceptions that can be associated with having been in the care system.

“Break the Bias”, this year's theme, shines a spotlight on inequality and invites us to imagine a gender equal world.

Biases are so ingrained and systemic that they can be hard to see, and it can also seem like a massive undertaking to try and change things when biases happen every day in all arenas, and on a global scale.

But what we can do as as members of society and human beings, is to be responsible for our own actions and thoughts and bring about change around us. If we each take a stand to break down and call out the biases we see in our workplaces, in our homes, in our children/young people’s schools or relationships we can all help shine a light on the biases and all work towards a reality where we live in a gender equal world. As we know, children/young people often learn by example, so in doing so, we can empower young women coming through care to truly believe in themselves and be the best that they can be.

Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Blog by Referrals Coordinator, Deborah Harris.