Supporting the Next Wave of Emerging Female Leaders with Gayle While
I鈥檇 like to start by acknowledging all of the allies and advocates that have inspired me and been in my corner throughout my life and career. You know who you are, and I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without your cheerleading. Thank you.
An important step forward in the journey of gender equality would be for all of us to more visibly champion and celebrate women. Everyday. We shouldn鈥檛 be saving celebration and acknowledgement of women鈥檚 success or achievements until a calendarized date of the 8th March. It鈥檚 like only telling people that you love them on Valentine鈥檚 Day. Women are achieving amazing things on a daily basis and that needs to be talked about more. So, we can begin by doing more to amplify female voices within our industry, and beyond. It isn鈥檛 just a case of 鈥榮ee it to be it鈥, we need to ensure we鈥檙e hearing the thoughts and opinions of women.
A 2021 UN study across 114 countries showed that women comprised of only 24% of the people we read about, see, or hear from on TV, radio and in print. Whilst there鈥檚 been progress in changing this percentage, female voices continue to be underrepresented in media and if we don鈥檛 have women writing or reporting then we won鈥檛 see issues framed in the way we need them to be.
As an industry there鈥檚 an opportunity for us to continuously support the next wave of emerging female leaders by providing them with platforms for their voices and encouraging them to contribute.
Outside of the spotlight of IWD as an industry we need to continue the push to find pathways that enable more females to start, or return to a career in the creative industry. We have to better understand the barriers that continue to exist and find solutions. Whether that鈥檚 through supporting initiatives like Mums in Ads or more flexible workplace polices we need to make the industry more attractive to women. Our work will only evolve if we have more female insights and influence on our thinking and ideas. Our industry鈥檚 role is to shape cultural attitudes and perceptions, so the faster we can remove unconscious biases and challenge stereotypes, the sooner we will be reflecting the Australia that we want to be part of and create more inclusivity.
Importantly don鈥檛 just use today to share your gratitude and tell a woman that inspires you that she鈥檚 amazing. Find an everyday reason to acknowledge and celebrate them. It will make a difference.
