Hope for the Future: International Women's Day
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On Monday it is International Women’s Day.
I admit to a vested interest. I grew up a girl. I identify as a woman, with she/her pronouns.
I have been a woman in engineering. In the late 80s, I was one of six young women in a class of 60 studying electrical and electronic engineering.
In the early 90s I was a software engineer in the telecoms industry. The design side had a growing number of women, but the factory was run by male engineers supervising the “girls” (of all ages).
In recent years I’ve become a woman in church ministry – something the Church of Scotland enabled over 50 years ago, but which still generates comment and some opposition.
In both fields I have felt pressure to represent my entire gender. I’ve heard too many colleagues’ shortcomings blamed on them being female, and worry I might confirm negative assumptions.
Fortunately I’ve avoided the most blatant discrimation and abuse others have faced. I did deal with a technical salesman who thought it was appropriate to call an engineer “Toots.” At the time I said nothing – though I didn’t buy his firm’s equipment. Now I wonder why I didn’t challenge him, to save others from feeling less than professional.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. We are encouraged, when we notice gender bias and inequality, to challenge it.
A challenge may help someone stop and think about what they do or say. A challenge may make authorities take discrimination seriously. A challenge can spark necessary change.
A recent report from the UK Commons Select Committee on Women and Equalities said that existing gender inequalities in the economy have been ignored and sometimes exacerbated by the pandemic policy response. UK and global studies also suggest that the proportion of unpaid work done by women has increased since lockdown.
The pandemic is not affecting people equally – though I do know there will be plenty of households where men are doing their share. The same Commons Select Committee also reported much worse health and economic outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic people and those living with disabilities.
There are so many people in society who get sidelined – often worst where multiple factors intersect, including for women and nonbinary gender identities.
So why do I share all this in a “Hope for the future” column? Well, I write this as a minister, believing in a God of love and justice, therefore hoping for a world of love and justice. We are all precious just as we are. Where fullness of life is denied to people because others don’t recognise their value, that is an injustice and should be challenged.
Then, if we choose to challenge injustices of all kinds, we help to change things. If we listen to each others’ stories we can learn. And if International Women’s Day inspires us to do those things with anyone, we will have taken another step to a fairer, more loving world, for lockdown and beyond.
Rev Jenny Adams is minister for Hopeman, Duffus and Spynie Church of Scotland.
