Happy Friday before the long weekend to my Canadian LinkedIn network! Whether you’re staying home or on your way to your weekend destination, here’s a thought I’d like to share with you that’s been weighing on me for quite some time:

The coined term “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus” may have inadvertently hindered our pursuit of gender equality. While originally used in psychology to highlight psychological differences in relationships, it perpetuated the notion of inequality between men and women in a society where women only gained equal rights and freedoms in the late 1960s. This belief, popularized in the 90s, plus the fact that women were seen as “lesser than” only 30 years before that, continues to influence our perception of gender equality, despite the progress made since then – even for ourselves.

As we are almost at the end of 2024, it’s crucial to reflect on the prevalent myths and gender biases that persist in our society today. The existence of numerous “leadership development” programs exclusively for women highlights the underlying belief that women are somehow less prepared or capable compared to their male counterparts. Without any malicious intent, these biases stem from a historical context where women faced severe limitations – from being unable to vote or own property to not being recognized as legal entities without a husband. The compounded negative impact of biases on women from various backgrounds is even more harmful. It’s time for real change. We are all equal, and it’s crucial to address the systemic barriers that hold women back.

As a Mom of two daughters, this is my rally cry to you:

• We as women are more ready than ever before. We’ve BEEN ready. ✨
• We didn’t ask to be protected from failure. We’re asking for the chance to succeed. ✨
• We’re not asking anyone to lower their standards and expectations for us. ✨
• We’re not asking for favours or any special treatment. ✨
• We’re not asking for a seat at the table, nor are we trying to steal your seat. ✨
• We’re telling you the table needs to be bigger so that we take up an equal amount of space. ✨

And that is what equity is. Next time, when we catch ourselves saying “I don’t think she’s ready”, when someone has aligned their passion to purpose, and preparation meets opportunity – ask yourself, is she really not ready or is this your own bias showing up?

Together, let’s challenge these stereotypes ✨TODAY✨ and embrace true equality by recognizing how seemingly harmless phrases can shape societal norms and impact our journey towards genuine gender equality.