From left to right, Row 1: Pankajini Mallick, Ph.D., Zhenzhen Dong, Ph.D. Row 2: Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, Ph.D., Amy Lavelle, Ph.D. Row 3: Priya Muralidharan, Charvi Nanavati, Ph.D.
By Kristen Kalmann, AAPS Content Manager
“Strike the International Women’s Day #BreakTheBias pose with your arms crossed to show your commitment to calling out bias, smashing stereotypes, breaking inequality, and rejecting discrimination.” – International Women’s Day, 2022 Theme[1]
The month of March encompasses Women’s History Month as well as International Women’s Day. The theme for International Women’s Day this year is #BreakTheBias—a powerful message to encourage reflection regarding what we can do to defy our own bias attitudes and actions, especially at work.
According to a 2021 McKinsey & Company report on women in the workplace, women leaders are more active champions of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). And keep in mind, much of these DEI efforts benefitting employees and colleagues is often overlooked and happens outside of working hours. The report goes on to share that “less than a quarter of companies are recognizing this work to a substantial extent in formal evaluations like performance reviews.”[2]
Clearly, society has a way to go when it comes to formally recognizing these contributions. Knowing this, we might ask ourselves what can we do to support our colleagues, friends, and family who we know show up for others? What can we do to recognize someone in our office who always steps up to promote diversity? What can we learn from the people in our life who set a positive example of what inclusion looks like? This approach is an essential element to keep in mind as the workplace builds to support everyone. It takes courage to break the mold. When we see someone living out DEI values, let’s encourage them. DEI efforts can be seen in written policies at a company, but until the culture shifts to embrace these values, we will not see longstanding change.
Will you help #BreakTheBias?
Thank you to the AAPS Women in Pharmaceutical Science Community for establishing a supportive space to discuss these issues, as well as gathering photos to show solidarity with the goal of a world where we are valued for who we are.
References
[1] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
[2] https://wiw-report.s3.amazonaws.com/Women_in_the_Workplace_2021.pdf