Micro-Actions for Macro Change How You Can Take Initiative to Drive Change By: Roba Goreishi (Publications Subcommittee)
Transitioning from an all-girls school to a mixed-
Interrupting Interruptions
gender tutoring environment brought forth a new experience for me during my high school years. In
Male allies can play a vital role in promoting the
this unfamiliar setting, I struggled to have my
voices of women. In discussions where a woman's
voice heard and gain attention when answering
contribution is overlooked or unheard, allies can
questions. It became evident when my answers
use their own voices to advocate on her behalf.
went unnoticed, only to be acknowledged and
By speaking up to say, "I'd like to hear what she
praised when a male student echoed the same
has to say", or similar statements of this calibre,
response. Recognising this unintended oversight
allies demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity,
was a pivotal moment for me as a young girl, as I
and ensure that everyone's perspectives are
began to observe the many micro-imbalances
valued. This also generates a moment of
overlooked in the day-to-day lives of women.
reflection for those overlooking female voices at the table.
While
seemingly
insignificant,
this
example
Challenging Bias
highlights the daily challenges women face and the need to address such imbalances. By understanding the underlying behaviours that
Micro-actions can be taken to address gender
generate such situations, we can empower
bias
and
inequality
in
professional
and
ourselves to drive change in our surroundings.
educational
settings.
For
instance,
when
confronted with sexist or offensive comments, a simple act like asking the person to repeat
Leaving Loud
themselves can have a powerful impact. This action creates a moment of silence, forcing the
An example of a micro-action that combats an
individual to confront the nature of their words in
often stigmatised behaviour is that of women
front of others. It empowers women to assert their
'leaving loud'. By making the conscious decision
worth and refuse to accept derogatory treatment
to leave the workplace openly, such as to pick up
that has often been normalised.
their kids from school, women reclaim their
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identities without feeling the need to justify their
Ultimately, it is our responsibility as individuals to
choices. This challenges outdated expectations
demonstrate
and fosters an environment of acceptance and
challenging
equality.
meaningful change in our surroundings.
purposeful the
status
leadership quo,
thus
by driving
