The Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity wrap up Women’s History Month with an interview with CRED PhD student Gabriella Stringer, on what WHM and International Women’s Day mean to her.
What do Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day mean to you?
Gabriella: "It’s about reinvigorating solidarity networks and creating collective action to ensure that all women are living in dignity and are supported to flourish, rather than facing violence, discrimination, and inequity. For me, it’s also about recognising the social value of all the paid and unpaid labour of women around the world."
Why did you choose your current PhD topic and why did you choose to do it at CRED?
Gabriella: "My PhD topic is a collaboration between CRED and Maternity Action, a UK wide advocacy organisation that is working to promote, protect and enhance pregnant women and new mother’s access to employment rights and healthcare and social security. My project is to research women’s experiences of accessing their maternity rights at work; in particular the challenges women face to access safe and dignifying work environments at this vulnerable life stage.
I chose to study this at CRED because of the commitment to applied research, and with the intention that wider recognition of the discrimination facing women at work builds a strong case for substantive government and organisational action to overcome these biases."
What does this year’s IWD campaign theme (#Break the Bias) mean to you and your work life?
Gabriella: "Evidence from before the pandemic extrapolates that approximately 3 in 4 mothers will face some type of discrimination or disadvantage at work during pregnancy, maternity leave or on the return to work. With the additional stress of the pandemic on work and family life this is likely to be even higher, and the consequences more severe.
I like that this year’s campaign centres the bias with those who hold it, rather than those who suffer from its effects. Too often it remains up to the collective action of the most marginalised to fight for their rights. We need greater action from the government and its institutions to better protect women and support our full inclusion at work and in wider society."
Do you have a message for current and prospective professional women about challenging/breaking bias?
Gabriella: "Stigma and discrimination can feel isolating and painful. We can end up feeling shame and psychologically unsafe at work when face this. Don’t suffer in silence, reach out to other women and male allies in your workplace and contact @MaternityAction or other advocacy organisations if you need to. You don’t have to face it alone!"
Final thoughts from CRED
As we close the curtains and say goodbye to the month of March, we hope the following words remain imprinted in our hearts and are reflected in our actions this year, and beyond:
“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”.
Adesola Akomolafe
Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
Adesola Akomolafe is a member of the Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity and a second year PhD student in the Department of Accounting and Financial Management at Queen Mary University of London, School of Business and Management. She is researching the gendered and contextual realities of women accountants in professional accountancy firms in Nigeria.