No, this is not a list of feminists books.
This year’s women day theme is #EmbraceEquity, so let’s start with that. While equality is about providing the same opportunities for everyone, equity recognizes that each of us start from a different place, therefore need different support. When that support is provided according to our needs, balance is achieved.
What does this mean for women in real life?
Research demonstrates that we tend to like people similar to us, this is called in-group bias, and it represents one of the biggest dangers for women to get hired or promoted. In the current corporate world, executive positions and C-suite roles are filled in with men, who will tend to appoint employees with similar characteristics for promotions and high responsibility roles, leaving qualified women and people from different backgrounds in the back seat and therefore, jeopardizing diversity, innovation, and growth.
This is a double-edged weapon. Given the lack of role models, little girls and women in early career stages will lack motivation to choose the higher paid career, apply for a promotion, or choose to develop their leadership skills.
In our corporate scenario, equity is about making sure that women receive the extra support that covers for that in-group bias and lack of role models, so that everyone has the same opportunity to achieve that promotion or new responsibility. For example, companies can offer mentorship and sponsorship programs for their female workforce, leadership training or career coaching.
Invisible Women
Caroline Criado-Perez knows a lot about the gaps women around the world need to confront every day. From how women have suffered undiagnosed heart attacks due to the current medical theories applying mainly to men, to how much unpaid work we take along our lives. Invisible women is an eye-opening book full of data that women and men need to understand in order to embrace equity.
101 essays that will change the way you think
This book by Brianna Wiest made it to the list due to its power of challenging your own biases. How is your negative thinking stopping you from going after your dream? Where do you find wisdom? It is by answering the questions you never asked yourself, that you become aware of your biases about your role in society as a woman, and the role of women around you. An easy-to-read book perfect for your morning coffee or commute.
Atomic Habits
They call this book the life-changing bestseller, and while we are not here to change the essence of who we are, we do want to propel the changes that level the playfield for women. James Clear refers to habits as the compound interest of self-improvement and his book is a guide to create good habits and break bad ones.
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