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AAXO NEWS
Time to break the chain of gender stereotypes
According to the World Economic Forum, gender inequalities force women to be the primary caregivers to children, the sick and the elderly; the pandemic has therefore created an even larger burden on women than men.
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By Projeni Pather, chairperson of AAXO.
Lack of public childcare, online schooling, additional care for the elderly, and families incapacitated due to Covid-19 are the primary reasons why more women have lost their jobs than men, according to Mckinsey Global Institute Report 2020. Interestingly, women make up only two-fifths of the global workforce, but more than half of the jobs lost are women.
It is time to create an environment where women feel confident to step out of their comfort zones. Sadly, businesses the world over, particularly the exhibition industry, have been dominated by males. This year, AAXO has committed to including women empowerment on our industry’s agenda. It is our responsibility to empower both men and women in the industry to destroy the stereotypes that have existed for years. The gender gap has always existed, and sadly the pandemic has widened the gap.
Understandably we have to focus on rebuilding the exhibition industry, emphasising re-establishing confidence in exhibitions as a platform. But, as we rebuild, let us realign our efforts, let us empower the women in our sector to take a seat at the head of the table and guide us in our endeavours to grow exhibitions, build confidence, and reignite business.
We live in a world rife with gender stereotypes, and the exhibition industry is certainly no different. Hence, we need to make a conscious effort as individuals, as companies and as an industry, to open the conversation and lead by example. By breaking gender stereotypes, we have the opportunity to reap the benefit and grow our companies by including women in all departments, in all management roles, and in all our decision making. Let us be more inclusive in our decisions, our discussions, and our demeanour. Let women know that women empowerment is an essential priority on your company agenda.
