Feminist, equality and diversity campaigner Virginia Mendez, an emerging influencer in the battle for global equality is today, (Wed Sept 22) calling for gender related stereotypes and stigma to be banned from the workplace saying the ‘new normal’ created by the Pandemic presents opportunity for a radical rethink around bias.
The Belfast based owner of The Feminist Shop; a global think tank and merchandising site is hosting the ‘He, She, They: Together Championing for Change’ session at the 2021 Dive In Festival – the insurance industry’s longstanding festival promoting diversity and inclusion.
More than 35 countries will participate this year in over 100 events in a hybrid format of virtual and in-person events. Last year’s festival attracted a record breaking 30,000 participants.
As workers return to a new employment normal, this year’s theme Active Allyship seeks to educate and empower employees, leaders and organisations to be active allies and champions for all. Attendees will be urged to not just talk but get practical in their support of under-represented groups and take responsibility for creating inclusive workplaces.
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Speaking about the kind of environment Virginia wants to see promoted in the workplace she said: “We have been hearing the word unprecedented for 18 months in relation to the ongoing global health crisis. But what if we were to create a different type of unprecedented in the workplace that includes and acknowledges the different needs of everyone – her, him and they. A safe space where everyone feels equal, welcome and understood. An environment where people can be unapologetically themselves.”
Speaking about her session at Global Dive In Virginia said: “The session I’ll be leading will explore issues such as what change will look like, how men should be included in gender conversations, how women should feel encouraged and understood, our role as allies to our non-binary co-workers and the need for review of organisational policies and procedures around dress code, the use of pronouns, sanitation etc based on a respect for all. I want this conversation to be a gamechanger in enabling people to achieve their full potential by promoting positive action for diversity.”
Joining Virginia in the discussion are Insurance Industry senior leaders, Theresa Farrenson; Customer Experience and Integration Lead at Anon; Jill Frances, Chief Underwriting Officer: Victor International and Andrew Darfoor, CEO of Sun Life Financial International.
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Spanish born Virginia Mendez lives in the UK. She is a published author with a second book on parenting and the impact of gender stereo-types in early childhood on the way. She has been published in Forbes, The Sunday Times and is part of Ladies who Launch, the Global Equality Collective and Diverse Educators as well as being ranked in the top 100 female entrepreneurs by f:entrepreneurs.
The Dive In Festival takes place from 21 – 23 September.
Full details about events and speakers will be available on the Dive In website and later to rewatch on the Videoflex platform.
Source: Written from press release.
