Source :NEWS18 NEWS
Last Updated:April 28, 2025, 20:40 IST
Equity doesn’t begin with policy and change doesn’t always need a big campaign. It begins with mindset—and what we choose to normalize every day
Sometimes, it starts with a pause, a question, or a quiet choice to do better. We just have to keep showing up
As a man in the workplace, I’ve come to realize that allyship isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about the small, consistent choices we make every day. “Over time, I’ve noticed that when I show up with intention and make space for the women I work with, our team becomes stronger, more inclusive, and just plain better,” says Rajesh Madan, Sr. Director, Finance, Sesame Workshop India.
Here are five simple actions that have made a real difference:
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1. Step back so she can step forward
“I used to be the first to speak up in meetings. I thought it showed initiative. But then I realized how often women’s ideas were sidelined or not even heard. Now, I pause before speaking and actively invite women colleagues into the conversation—“What do you think, Anjali?” Simple, but powerful. These small but important shifts model inclusivity for younger generations,” shares Madan.
2. Give credit where it’s due—loudly and clearly
Madan asserts, “I’ve seen it happen too many times: a woman shares an idea, and later someone else (usually a man) repeats it and gets the praise. Now, I make it a point to amplify women’s voices in real-time.” “That’s a great point, and I love how Priya framed it earlier.” It’s not about being a hero. It’s just doing what’s right.
3. Call out casual bias—even when it’s not a joke
There was a time I used to let sexist jokes slide. I didn’t want to “make it awkward.” But staying silent only lets that culture thrive. Over time, I’ve learned it’s not just the jokes—it’s the seemingly innocent comments and assumptions too. Things like “She’s great with decor, let’s have her plan the office event,” or “She’s more organized, she can take the meeting notes.” They sound harmless on the surface, but they reinforce old stereotypes that keep women stuck doing invisible, undervalued work.
We know from lived experience—and research backs this up—that more than 90% of household chores in India are done by women. So, it’s no surprise that this imbalance spills over into the workplace. Think about the last team offsite chances are it was a woman who put it together. The office Diwali party? Rangoli-making? Farewell gifts? Probably a woman from the team handled it. These aren’t part of anyone’s job description, but women end up doing this kind of “office housework” far more than men.
Authors of The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work have shown that this happens across industries and levels of seniority. Once I became aware of it, I started saying something. “Let’s rotate these tasks,” or “Hey, why don’t I take this one?” It doesn’t take much—but it takes someone noticing and being willing to speak up.
4. Mentor—and not just men
I once realized I was only offering informal mentorship to guys who reminded me of younger me. It wasn’t intentional, just a blind spot. Now, I’m intentional about offering my time and support to women colleagues too. Mentorship opens doors—and who you choose to mentor matters.
5. Share the load at work and at home
For a long time, I thought I was “helping out” at home. Helping my partner cook, helping with the laundry, helping with the kids. But at some point, it hit me—this isn’t help. This is my responsibility, just as much as hers. I live here. I eat the food. I use the towels. I’m not pitching in; I’m pulling my weight.
The same mindset shift applies at work too. Those admin tasks, the emotional labor, the follow-ups—women shouldn’t be expected to quietly carry it all just because they always have. Doing your share isn’t noble. It’s fair. And when men start talking about this openly—“Managing their child’s routine,” or “I’m making dinner tonight”—we chip away at the idea that caregiving and housework are “women’s work.”
Equity doesn’t begin with policy and change doesn’t always need a big campaign. It begins with mindset—and what we choose to normalize every day. Sometimes, it starts with a pause, a question, or a quiet choice to do better. We just have to keep showing up.
SOURCE : NEWS 18
