Bedford Girls’ School is backing the nationwide Dads4Daughters campaign to eradicate gender inequality in the workplace.
To mark National Dads4Daughters Day (today) fathers are being asked to take a new ‘unconscious bias’ test and pledge their commitment to greater equality in the workplace for current and future generations of daughters. The inclusion of fathers is based on the belief that it’s not just mothers who are in a strong position to effect change.
BGS is one of 50 Girls’ Schools Association schools to back the campaign, while a number of major companies have also joined the Dads4Daughters campaign, including UBS, Aviva, Ernst & Young, Spencer Stuart and Accenture, who are hosting discussions and debates with their staff about how they can tackle gender bias in the workplace.
As part of the campaign, GSA schools have published the results of an alumnae survey which show that:
- 71% of alumnae have experienced or witnessed gender inequality in the workplace
- 75% believe men could do more to support women in the workplace
- 73% believe pay inequality is the most important issue facing women in the workplace
- 65% say women might not challenge workplace culture for fear it may impact their promotion prospects
One woman who was surveyed commented: “What has surprised me is how subtle and innocuous it [gender bias] can be - you sometimes don't even notice it until all those small moments of difference build up. Only then do you realise the chasm between you and the people you are supposed to be on an equal level to.”
The growing campaign hopes that as many organisations as possible will celebrate the day by asking all fathers to consider whether their workplace is somewhere they would be happy for their daughter to work.
Will McDonald, Chair of the Fatherhood Institute and Group Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility Director at Aviva, added: “Dads4Daughters Day is a great opportunity for fathers to make themselves visible at work – to show how important being a dad is to them, and help their organisations think about what changes are needed to bring about greater gender equality – for today’s working dads and mums, and those of the future.”
To answer the survey visit dads4daughters.uk/what-is-dads4daughters/
