Topic 3 Discrimination and Challenges in the Workplace
“Gender stereotypes are a root cause of gender inequality and affect all areas of society. Stereotypical expectations based on fixed norms for women, men and LGBTQAI+, limit their aspirations, choices and freedom, and therefore need to be dismantled. Gender stereotypes strongly contribute to the gender pay gap. They are often combined with other stereotypes such as those based on race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and this can reinforce stereotypes’ negative impacts”.
None of us are free from categorising people according to certain stereotypes. We were raised with them, since stereotypes are a tool to build social groups. But this tool is often unhelpful and wrong. They inform us about social groups in which individuals are ascribed but not about the individuals themselves.
Self-awareness and critical thinking are the best tools for not confining people to “small boxes”.
We suggest reading some of the following articles to reflect on this subject:
Gender Stereotypes and the Biases They Foster Against Women in the Workplace
Tackle gender stereotypes at work to have better inclusivity