Allies for gender equality: our FPS wins federal inclusion award

With the #ALLYSHIP: it starts with ME! campaign, our FPS carried off the federal inclusion award. Various initiatives encouraged colleagues to stand up against sexism and gender-based discrimination wherever it occurs.

Women at Work

At first glance, it looks like gender equality has been achieved in our FPS. Or perhaps not? In 2017, a group of female colleagues concluded there was still plenty of work to be done. “Gender equality is an absolute priority” sounds promising, but concrete commitments within our department are not always clearly reflected in the workplace. Just consider the fact that still fewer than 19% of heads of post are women.

Since then, male colleagues from the FPS have also joined the Women at Work (W@W) network. As a result, it has grown into a diverse group advocating for greater gender equality and inclusivity within our FPS. Both staff from the internal (central administration) and the external career (diplomats) have joined.

Hostile and ambivalent sexism

W@W focuses on five themes, one of which is sexism. Ideas about stereotypical roles for women and men are still present, sometimes unconsciously or without ill intent. This results in men being subtly considered superior to women, with all that that entails.

Sexism can be downright hostile: insults, stalking, intimidation, violence… But beneath the surface lies something known as ‘ambivalent sexism’, where the harmful impact is less obvious. It shows up in things like undervaluing, excluding and rendering women invisible, comments on appearance, and sexism cloaked in misplaced protection or affection towards women.

Women may be viewed as beautiful yet fragile beings who need protection. In meetings, they may be given less speaking time. Or you hear remarks like “of course you were hired, you’re a woman after all.”

Allies respond

Last year, W@W focused on the persistence and consequences of sexism in the workplace. This year, the network chose allyship as its theme. A series of activities wanted to encourage colleagues to become allies to those who face sexist behaviour and gender-based discrimination.

For example, in a training session, the external expert Cécile Deprez explained the steps you go through as an ally. First, you become aware of the problem, then you learn about it and decide to get involved and respond when, for instance, a sexist remark is made during a meeting. You can go even further by joining forces with others.

Moreover, with a few simple habits, it is possible to make the distribution of tasks, the organisation of meetings, and the handling of parental leave files more gender-equal.

#FatUglySlut

W@W also screened the documentary #FatUglySlut (French: #SalePute), featuring shocking testimonies about cyberbullying. Like 73% of women worldwide, the creators – Florence Hainaut and Myriam Leroy – also experienced cyberviolence. An ally should be able to discuss the issue without fuelling division and dare to say out loud: “Cyberbullying or sexism at work or elsewhere is not okay.”

This was followed by a session where Sophie Vincent (Unia) and Leonie Hogervorst (Institute for the Equality of Women and Men) focussed on artificial intelligence: what opportunities and challenges regarding gender equality can we expect from AI?

W@W gathered inspiring testimonies and turned them into an exhibition. They also raised awareness among colleagues through articles on the internal platform, flyers in the restaurant, and posters throughout the workplace.

Not an endpoint

In short, a great overall concept that managed to convince the federal government’s inclusion network. Allyship received the highest rating and thus carried off the inclusion award. The jury, made up of external academic experts, judged entries on five criteria: measurable impact, innovation, clear underpinning, inspiring example, and long-term approach.

The Allyship campaign and the inclusion award are certainly not an endpoint. True gender equality and inclusivity are a long-term process. The campaign made colleagues more aware of the issue. It is now up to us to effectively use the tools we have been given to create a caring, inclusive, and modern work environment together.