We often talk about pay equity and how leading companies are making adjustments to ensure they close the gender pay gap.
But, in my opinion, gender equality goes way beyond pay. True gender equality includes things like the way we work and where we work. It's about acknowledging that women, particularly mothers or caregivers, have found success in remote work not because they're multitasking superheroes, juggling meetings and childcare, but because they've proven that productivity knows no walls or time.
As a 'fresh-ish' mother myself, I've experienced how remote work has allowed me to increase my productivity while also caring for my kids in a way where I don't have to spend energy with the mental load of being away from them.
It's not just about working from home; it's about the flexibility and trust that allows us to balance our roles effectively. I can show up at my kid's daycare fall program, nurse my 14-month-old daughter, and still successfully talk about compensation to 3,000 people, all within the span of three hours - without having to worry about a painful commute or parking availability or even worst, having to pump in a dark sketchy room at the office (if there is even one). It’s a matter of trust to be able to own and design my schedule based on all my roles.
Gender equality shouldn't be just another buzz phrase. If worldwide birth rates are declining, you need to ask yourself how can you create ways for more women to be able to successfully thrive at both motherhood and career.
It is not a matter of balance; it is a matter of integration.
