Shezami Khalil, Head of Corporate Communications at Japan Tobacco International (JTI), shares her take on gender equality, particularly in Bangladesh’s corporate sector.
What do gender equity and equality mean to you and why is it important?
Equity is the practice of allocating resources to individuals based on their individual needs, in recognition of the fact that different people have different needs. Conversely, equality means providing the same resources to everyone irrespective of their individual needs.
The true way to overcome disparity is equity. Gender equality means equal outcomes for men and women, and equal enjoyment by women and men of goods, opportunities, resources, and rewards. The overarching goal is equality, but this goal cannot be achieved without gender equity. Gender equality results in socioeconomic growth and financial stability. It prevents violence against women and children, leads to better health for the entire household, enables families to come out of poverty, and provides a social safety net for a harmonious society. Gender equality is at the very heart of human rights.
Shezami Khalil Head of Corporate Communications Corporate Affairs & Communications Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Photograph: Courtesy of Shezami Khalil
How can organisations drive change and promote gender equality beyond International Women’s Day?
I was quite disheartened to learn that in Bangladesh, only 7% of entrepreneurs are women, only 15% of organisations have women owners or co-owners, and only 5% of organisations have women in top managerial roles. There are countless biases that hold women back in professional environments, which is why they need the right support to thrive and grow.
Organisations have a responsibility in promoting equitable practices. The right social conditioning in the workplace goes a long way toward nurturing and creating such an environment. An organisation can easily create gender sensitisation for a more diverse and inclusive workplace that creates space for innovations. We must accept that men and women are different and there needs to be policies and practices in place that account for these differences in order to make the working environment more equitable. Organisations can play a big role in creating a mindset shift – a simple and obvious one is allocating paternity leave and normalising that both the mother and father are responsible for childcare.
How can organisations ensure that their communications and marketing efforts are inclusive and do not perpetuate gender stereotypes?
Knowledge of gender biases is key. Often, brands will unknowingly propagate gender stereotypes without realising the implications. Fortunately, we have been seeing a positive turnaround since popular brands started becoming more deliberate in their approach to promoting women’s emancipation, instead of perpetuating stereotypes. This has resulted in an increased understanding and acceptance of inclusive perspectives on gender roles.
The communications and marketing teams need to stay on par with the status of gender mainstreaming and adapt their strategies accordingly. They need to educate themselves on gender parity and be conscientious about using gender-sensitive language and images. Organisations can also place specific parameters in place to review and analyse marketing campaigns, with a focus on eliminating covert gender biases.
An organisation can easily create gender sensitisation for a more diverse and inclusive workplace that creates space for innovations. We must accept that men and women are different and there needs to be policies and practices in place that account for these differences in order to make the working environment more equitable.
Can you share your thoughts on the gaps that Bangladesh has overcome in breaking down gender stereotypes?
Bangladesh has made significant progress in recognising and delivering rights for women. We have been named as the most gender-equal country in South Asia for the eighth consecutive year in the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 by World Economic Forum. The significant progress in establishing the rights of women should be lauded!
To level the field for women, the government of Bangladesh has increased access to primary education for girls, implemented social security initiatives like dispatching maternal allowances to rural poor women and increased access to finances for female entrepreneurs to name a few. Many organisations now provide daycare facilities to support the career of new mothers. The presence of women in government roles serves as an indication of the important role women play in contributing to our economy.
The finance sectors have strongly promoted financial independence for women by introducing inclusive financing services and these advances are particularly noticeable in rural areas where many women are opening new ventures and gaining financial stability.
Although much reformation is yet to happen, the current communication in favour of women’s rights is greatly responsible for promoting the inclusion and acceptance of women in each and every sector. I am hopeful about the future of Bangladesh and its developmental and societal efforts for sustained growth.
Without the guidance and insights from these programs and my mentors, it would have been a steep battle for me to reach the position I am in today. I am a big advocate for leadership programs for women in the workplace and I urge more organisations to invest in such endeavours.
How do you think we can support and uplift women in leadership roles, and encourage more women to pursue careers in the corporate sector?
We need to highlight and encourage women’s achievements at all levels. Many stories get lost because they are not glamorous. We need to acknowledge and share more stories of women from different socioeconomic backgrounds, different levels and walks of life who are making a change for themselves, their families, and society. I believe this will inspire more women to pursue their dreams and passions.
In the corporate sector, managerial and leadership positions require individuals to be well-groomed for the role, whether it be men or women. At JTI, I have participated in several trainings and workshops by some of the most renowned institutes to improve my professional acumen and shape my leadership skills. Without the guidance and insights from these programs and my mentors, it would have been a steep battle for me to reach the position I am in today. I am a big advocate for leadership programs for women in the workplace and I urge more organisations to invest in such endeavours.
In light of International Women’s Day 2023, what message would you like to share?
Although inequality and inequity are genderless, women are more affected due to a multitude of social, economic, and developmental inequalities. We need to learn our own biases and relearn how to address them.
I would like to urge everyone to be advocates for creating an inclusive environment, where women feel safe and empowered to be their own true selves. A focus on gender equity and equality needs to be part of every society’s DNA. Let us #EmbraceEquity together to create a harmonious world with gender equality.