Gender diversity refers to the equal representation of women and men in the workplace. This means that men and women in the workplace are given the same working opportunities, hired at a consistent rate and they are paid equally. However, despite the continued advocacy on gender equality men continue to dominate the majority of the industries as compared to their women counterparts. This trend is worrying to many gender equality enthusiasts in the workplace and a lot needs to be done to fill this gap. However, gender equality in the workplace can be viewed from two lenses which are the lens of history and the lens of humanities for this assignment.
Analysis of diversity in gender in the workplace from the history lens
Analyzing an issue from the historical lens calls for the utilization of different sources such as books, diaries, magazines, artifacts, and oral testimony. Gender equality issue in the workplace is an important historical occasion that looks at the transformation of women’s rights from the reconstruction era to the neoliberal era (Lyons, S. T., & Schweitzer,2017). Analyzing gender equality offers an overview of transformations of history regarding labor movements at the onset of the civil rights movement to the neoliberal era.
Globally women have been subjected to toxic inequalities not only at home but also within the workplace. Patriarchy in many societies across the world has resulted in the theme of neglect as well as denial of women’s rights. However current historical depiction shows a societal shift from patriarchy to matriarchy society in terms of gender inequality. The United States for instance gained their rights to vote just are100 years ago and have since transformed the leadership of leadership later producing the first black vice president in the country in 2021. Other countries such as Austria and Finland have led the strife on gender equality and significantly shaped leadership in their countries.
Gender makeup within the workplace has also been shifting significantly since the 1970s. The continued emphasis on women empowerment through groups has driven gender equality not only in political forums but also in the workplace. Today women are more involved in making institutional decisions than ever before. These changes have been a result of changing dynamics that have been promoting for women to voice their grievances without male interventions. As a result, many companies are adopting procedures that ensure gender equality in the workplace.
The history lens has helped women realize their strengths and weaknesses as well as the related consequences. As a result people organizations have realized that neglecting women in a critical position is not a solution and incorporated them for the sake of mutual and ideal advancement. These advances have helped in producing a comfortable and neutral work environment that gives all financial and psychological comfort. As a result from the historical perspective gender equality in the workplace is instrumental in ensuring increased productivity. Allowing gender diversity in the workplace has also helped organizations benefit from a great pool of talents than ever before. It is thus worth recognizing the strides towards gender equality that have been undertaken from the reconstruction era to the neoliberal era.
Analysis of diversity in gender in the workplace from the humanities lens
The Humanities lens stresses more on cultural and empathy awareness which are important in managing and preventing workplace conflicts. Empathy refers to the ability to understand the feelings of others. Within the workplace, people from both genders are faced with different challenges and feel comfortable if their fellow workers understand them (Rubery, 2018). Cultural awareness refers to understanding the cultures of different groups and appreciating or accommodating them. Through empathy and cultural awareness as stressed by the humanities lens, it has become necessary for the advocacy of equality in the workplace.
The humanities lens has been portrayed in promoting gender equality in many ways. Today institutions and organizations are appreciating the role of women in the workplace. Leaders in the different industries are continuously involving women in different positions such as engineering and Technology that previously were preserved for men. This is a clear indicator that the workforce currently understands the need for women to progress just like their male workforce. Champions in this area have also called for equal representation of women and men in different institutional committees. The advances have had the impact of alleviating women and ensuring gender equality.
In my personal and private life have been able to see omen leaders perform well in different organizations. Have also helped different women in their careers and attended various seminars on gender advocacy in the workplace. One significant thing that has been noted is that women are more open to expressing the effects of a toxic workplace. To reduce this toxicity they have continued to show empathy without necessary sympathizing with their oppressors.
Conclusion
Both historical and humanities lenses are instrumental in solving issues related to gender equality in the workplace. The Humanities lens has served in complementing the historic lens in terms of gender equality. These two lenses as applied in promoting gender equality have served in positioning women in a good place when it comes to agitating for their rights.
References
Lyons, S. T., & Schweitzer, L. (2017). A qualitative exploration of generational identity: Making sense of young and old in the context of today’s workplace. Work, Aging and Retirement, 3(2), 209-224.
Rubery, J. (2018). A gender lens on the future of work. Journal of International Affairs, 72(1), 91-106.
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