3. Welcome and involve men

Inequitable environments are detrimental to everyone working in them, not just women. To improve things and achieve gender parity, leaders of all genders need to champion it. Ending gender bias and inequity is a leadership issue, and not one that women can address alone.

Research by professors and authors of Good Guys: How can Men be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace, Brad Johnson and David Smith, has shown that “gender-parity efforts are most effective when men believe they have a dignified and important role to play, that transformation in the workplace is something they can share in.”

In fact, “the evidence shows that when men are deliberately engaged in gender inclusion programs, 96% of organizations see progress — compared to only 30% of organizations where men are not engaged.” I appreciated the true integration of DEI concepts and the inclusion of such “ different types of women. I particularly enjoyed the panel “ with men, as true gender equity requires everyone’s support.

Connie Gonzalez, Senior Program Officer, Center for Women’s Economic Empowerment at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), El Salvador Participant, 2021 WILD Leadership Forum

That is why WILD encourages and welcomes all genders at the WILD Forum, actively recruits men as speakers and participants, and provides insights and practical suggestions on how to be an effective ally. I’m a member of a number of working groups in my organization, and “ sometimes I’m the only male. So for me to understand really, truly what lies behind the notions of gender and diversity was interesting. I feel now I have a stronger voice in the different forums, I attend both forums with men and forums with women only. I still have “ work to do, but this forum helped build my confidence in expressing what I think.

Blaise Pistoletti, Global Lead HR, Aga Khan Foundation, Switzerland Participant, WILD Forum

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96%

of organizations see progress when men are deliberately engaged in gender inclusion programs