Gender equity doesn’t necessarily erase gender equality as a “new” definition, but it just comes
before it. To have equal opportunities and fairness, equity needs to come before equality. All will
receive equal treatment, when the marginalized group gets more opportunities to reach the
group that’s on another level of privilege.
To be a workplace that values equal opportunities, it’s important to acknowledge the
marginalized group and to think of ways to present it with its specific and tailored needs.

Ways to close the gender gap and reach equality through equity at work:

1.Be clear in organization policies

Be vocal on where you stand with issues like this. It’s important that the vision and policy
of the organization is clear from the get go about the desire to support and champion
women. It’s also important to directly state that the workplace does not tolerate any form
of gender discrimination, and that it values diversity and inclusion. With this kind of
leadership in mind, the organization is likely to attract like-minded managers and leaders
in senior positions that will know how to foster a healthy and safe work environment for
women.

2.Mentor and train managers

Having clear organization policies will make it easier to appoint managers with aligned
visions, but it is still important to lead by example as senior leaders and show managers
what true leadership looks like. Training managers to unbiasedly evaluate all employees
in selection and promotion processes, deal with unexpected situations, and to make both
men and women part of the conversation about equity can be a great way for managers
to take ownership in establishing an inclusive work environment.

3.Be flexible in work arrangements

As a result of gender roles and societal rules and expectations, women might need
different arrangements than men when it comes to working hours, work-load, and
maternity leaves. It’s important to be mindful and to regularly ask women about what
they might need to do differently in order to be able to give the best quality of work that
they can, while also being able to feel seen and heard. It’s important to engage women
in conversations, because not all women have the same needs or adhere to certain
societal expectations.

4.Don’t make assumptions

Making decisions based on preconceived notions or biases can reinforce stereotypes
and gender roles. Making assumptions about a woman’s ability to take on a task, role, or
promotion can act as a barrier in achieving gender equity. It’s important to lay down
assumptions and biases, and to make decisions with inclusivity in mind.

5.Invest in developing women

Harmful assumptions can automatically lead to a desire to invest and develop men to
propel and prepare them for a specific role. Women are in need of this development and
training as well, and not bothering to develop them at all erases any chance they might
have and sets them back. It’s important to develop, train, and provide networking
channels to help women achieve more in the organization.

Reflection Questions:

●Do I ever consciously or subconsciously undermine the women in my
organization?
● What can I do to lift them up and make my organization a safe and just place for
women?

Poor time management sometimes looks like:

● Missing out on family commitments due to an inability to make time for them
● Missing deadlines at work, which reflects poorly on a person’s professionalism
● Restlessness from the idea of having things to do but not doing them
● Opting for habits that save time but are unhealthy, like junk food, out of an inability to
pack home cooked meals
● Showing up late to events, appointments, and gatherings
● Low quality of sleep because of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination, which is the decision
to put off sleep at night – even when extremely exhausted and sleepy – just to get a sense
of having extra free time that wasn’t acquired during the day.
● Completely neglecting physical health, and often saying statements like “I don’t have
time to work out.”

All of these factors can be present at certain stages in our lives, but if prolonged they can heavily
impact our relationships, jobs, and overall mental health.

TIPS TO MANAGE TIME

1. Take Social Media Breaks
   Spending too much time on social media is the easiest way to waste your time. Using it
   excessively can offer temporary relief because it distracts us, but sometimes we spend
   more time on it than we’ve intended. To avoid that, allocate a specific amount of time for
   social media during the day. Renowned smartphone brands have added a “screen-limit”
   feature to help users focus on their lives outside their screens. Think about the application
   that you spend most time on, and create a time-frame that limits your use of it. Even if the
   screen-limit feature is missing, make sure to put your phone in a place that is out of reach
   to be able to focus on the tasks at hand. If it’s challenging, you can ask someone else to
   hold you accountable.
   Things to do other than spend time on social media:
   ● Sit in the sun
   ● Finish a task you’ve been meaning to work on
   ● Pack home-cooked meals
   ● Journal
   ● Stretch
   ● Catch up with friends and family
   ● Squeeze in a quick workout
   ● Listen to a podcast
   ● Read a book
2. Write a To-Do List / Use a Planner
   Writing a to-do list makes you aware of the things that you need to get done. It’s essential
   to make a list of the things you need to get done with the order of urgency or importance,
   and to do that you need to be able to get your priorities straight. Ask yourself, what needs
   to be urgently done? Who deserves my greatest asset, my time and attention? The
   answers to these questions will determine what will be on the top of the list. In addition to
   this, dividing the priorities list in two sections: things I need to do, and things I want to
   do will also give you more clarity.
3. Map Out Your Week – SMART Goals
   It’s important to have SMART goals. Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
   Relevant, and Time-Based. In order to know where to start, your goals must be clearly
   defined and outlined. Knowing what it is exactly you are trying to achieve, how you will
   measure its success, whether it’s realistic or not, whether it’s related to your priorities, and
   when it needs to be completed, is essential to achieve your goals.
4. Pomodoro Technique
   Pomodoro Technique is a technique that was developed by Francesco Cirillio in the
   1980’s. It’s a time management method that divides work into intervals with breaks.
   Cirillio claimed that the best way to be efficient is to work for 25 minutes on a specific
   task, followed by a 5-10 minute break, and then work for another 25 minutes. Each
   segment is called a pomodoro, and with every 4 pomodoros, you can take a longer 15-30
   minute break. This makes you focus on the task at hand consistently for a period of time
   without distractions, followed by a short break that offers rest without losing your focus.
5. Break Big Tasks Into Smaller Ones
   As the author of Anyone Can Get An A+: How To Beat Procrastination, Reduce Stress
   and Improve Your Grades. Geetanjali Mukherjee once said, “Start anywhere, with
   whatever is in front of you. The key is to begin – and to trust that as long as you’re
   putting one foot in front of the other, eventually you’ll get to where you need to, or at the
   very least, much farther than you had initially imagined.” Sometimes what makes us
   avoid starting a task is how big it seems, when all we have to do is just start. Breaking a
   big task into smaller ones makes us feel less overwhelmed and gives us more motivation
   to start.
   

Following these tips will require self-discipline and effort. If we remain passive, we risk missing
out on what truly matters. Making time for something is the biggest sign that you care about it
enough to invest your time in it, and making time for someone is the most genuine way to show
them that you love them. On the other side of the coin, sometimes the person that you need to
invest your time in is you. Make sure to be intentional on finding the right balance that makes
time for your personal relationships and work obligations, but simultaneously preserves your
emotional and physical needs.

Reflection Questions:

1- What are my priorities?
2- Which areas in my life am I not giving enough time to?
3- What are new healthy habits that I want to make time for?
4- Time is our greatest asset. In what ways have you been reckless with it?