Stefan Schmidlin’s Post

Intuitively explained by the Swiss public radio: > 1/2 of men (in Switzerland & surely in many other countries) feel gender equality has been achieved, yet much fewer women think so. Why? Laws have been changed, increasing equal opportunities in theory. Men often don’t see the barriers facing women as not affecting them. Once we realize that we are privileged as we don’t even have to think about the barriers facing other groups (this holds for white able-bodied, cis women too), it can be quite threatening, often provoking anger https://lnkd.in/d6WR3ZbA . Greater representation of minorities does not automatically solve this, as NL shows, where women leave politics as they are over-proportionally affected by sexist shitstorms & severe threats https://lnkd.in/dvsFaG5k . This is heartbreaking & the opposite of democracy & representation. We will need every brave person in power to talk about this as not solvable by individuals. I applaud everyone who speaks up, especially men. There is nothing to be lost only to be won.

A bit about the project I have been developing at the Gender Consulting in the Gender Equality Office - Technische Universität Darmstadt. On January 30th (Lichtwiese) and February 8th (Stadtmitte), representatives of the collaborative research centers at TU Darmstadt had the opportunity to attend a workshop on the topic of "(Re)Shaping intersectional, all-gender inclusive research environments at TU Darmstadt". Aiming to introduce the intersectionality framework as a guide for promoting gender equality, which is also a goal of TU Darmstadt, the German Research Council (DFG) and the European Union, the workshop featured an overview of the topic and a brainstorming session among participants regarding situations they faced within their work environment and suggestions for further discussions, offers, and measures on intersectionality. Intersectionality is a term coined in 1989 by the jurist and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw. It aims to recognize that people's lives are shaped by many identities, relationships, and social factors. When forms of privilege and oppression intersect, they create unique identities for individuals, leading to their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression. For gender equality, considering intersections is a way of recognizing that beyond being oriented by gender equality measures, they should evaluate if they are sufficient to empower all identities in their environment. Read more (in German): https://lnkd.in/eEEvNzsx

To me, this is one of the best visualization to explain why equal treatment does not automatically guarantee #equity. When discussing #equality, I have often encountered the question of "fairness". Isn't that the whole point of equality? And isn't it unfair to provide extra support, such as quotas, to marginalized groups? While I understand where this feeling is coming from I truly believe it's important to recognize that extra measures are often necessary to address systemic inequalities that have persisted for generations. To me, the whole point of equality is to give everyone an equal chance to succeed. Systemic inequalities have left some people starting from a disadvantage. And while addressing these inequalities might feel like "giving a boost" to some people, it is necessary if we are striving to create a world where everyone has a fair shot at success, no matter who they are. It's not about being unfair to others, it's about making things equal for everyone. Credits to funk - Content-Netzwerk von ARD und ZDF

Attitude vs Opinion. Long term approach vs One-time action. Living the values vs pink-washing. Genuine vs Fake. Tim Kälberer comes with impulses for a better understanding of the difference between those. He also makes it easier for an outside observer - the customer - to understand if a company join the bandwagon for the values or for money.

DGA* design for changemakers is super happy and proud to have designed and implemented the publication and website for the interesting study »Männerperspektiven« about men’s attitudes to equality and equality policy for Bundesforum Männer - Interessenverband für Jungen, Männer & Väter e.V.! 💙 We can only reach equality involving everyone — no matter which gender. Check out the super interesting findings 👉 https://lnkd.in/etKT3su5 #genderequality

On the occasion of International Women's Day last week: A call for gender equality Every year, International Women's Day on 8 March reminds us that the road to gender equality is far from over. A topical issue is the everyday sexism that women face in technical and other male-dominated professions. This article from MeinBezirk.at - Gailtal highlights how women are often perceived as less competent from the outside, a phenomenon that Ines Ganner, founder and CEO of NeedNect Solutions GmbH, knows first-hand. Her experience shows that inequality is not only present on an individual level, but also in institutional structures. However, Ganner encourages not to remain silent about such experiences.💪🚀 #womensday #genderequality #equality #iwd2024 #innovation #technology