It’s Women’s History month again, and today is International Women’s Day. A day where I always have…mixed feelings. Am I alone on this? Do I love celebrating the amazing women in history who have led us to this fourth (arguably fifth) wave of feminism? Heck ya! But, another part of me says this shouldn’t have to be “a thing” that we force everyone to be aware of, because gender inequity should not be an issue. Period. So while celebrating these badass ladies who came before us feels empowering, the flip side is that it reminds us we are marginalized in the first place. I hate feeling like a victim.
Having said that, in honor of women’s history month, I’d like to address a women’s issue (one of…many) I hold close to my heart, which is the significant gender inequity in the design industry. Short story—we can do better. Do I sound a little angry? If so, it’s only because I am.
Studies have shown that women make up more than half of the design industry, but are still underrepresented in leadership roles and face challenges in being recognized and compensated for their work.
There are various factors that contribute to this problem, including unconscious bias, lack of mentorship and sponsorship for women, and a lack of diversity and inclusivity in hiring and promotion practices. Additionally, societal expectations and stereotypes can lead to women being perceived as less competent or less committed to their careers than their male counterparts. I call bullsh*t. They obviously haven’t met my tribe.
There are several actions that can be taken to address gender inequality in the design industry. The aim is to foster a more inclusive and equitable industry that values diversity and recognizes the contributions of all designers, regardless of their gender.
- Increase diversity and inclusivity in hiring and promotion practices. This includes removing unconscious bias in job descriptions, recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates, and actively seeking out and promoting qualified women and underrepresented groups.
- Provide mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. This includes connecting them with experienced designers who can provide guidance and support in their careers, and advocating for them in leadership and promotion opportunities.
- Educate and raise awareness about gender inequality and its impact on the design industry. This includes providing training on unconscious bias, as well as educating designers and design leaders about the importance of diversity and inclusivity.
- Lead by example in promoting gender equality and inclusivity. This includes holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable for creating a more equitable industry, and using our platforms to amplify the voices of women and underrepresented groups in the design community.
- Keep track of progress and data by tracking and publishing the data on the inclusivity of the workforce and leadership. This can help identify areas of improvement and track progress over time.
It’s important to note that none of these steps will be a one-time solution and will require a consistent effort to see meaningful changes. Also, it’s not only the job of the individuals who are facing discrimination to speak up but also the responsibility of everyone in the field to actively take part and make sure that equal opportunities are given to all.
Gender inequality in the design industry is a significant problem that affects the careers and professional opportunities of many women and underrepresented groups, but by working together and taking action, the design industry can move towards a more equitable and inclusive future. And maybe—just maybe—our contributions will be recognized beyond the month of March each year. 😉