Kesetaraan gender, keseimbangan antara pekerjaan dan kehidupan pribadi, serta peningkatan kualitas diri: Inilah visi aspiratif yang muncul dalam diskusi panel Hari Perempuan Internasional yang diadakan di kantor Nielsen Singapura pada Hari Perempuan Internasional. Diskusi yang diselenggarakan oleh Women In Nielsen (WIN) Employee Resource Group ini berpusat pada topik #balanceforbetter, tema Hari Perempuan Internasional tahun ini, yang didasarkan pada gagasan bahwa keseimbangan mendorong dunia kerja yang lebih baik.
During the session, an influential panel shared frank and humorous experiences from their business and personal endeavours, and ultimately affirmed that diversity and inclusion are integral to Nielsen’s DNA. Jyoti Jain (Analytics Lead, APAC, Johnson & Johnson) highlighted that men and women should not be pressured to conform to stereotypical gender roles in the workplace, and recruiters should exclude social demographic traits as hiring factors. This was supported by Lesley Ngai (Country Manager, Singapore and Malaysia, Tickled Media), who asserted that gender standards result in individuals being discredited for their unique personalities.
Kelli Nardis (Head of Marketing Science Analytics and Partnerships, Singapore, Facebook) encouraged our associates to invite women, minority group members or social introverts to speak out in the corporate space, especially when they detect that these people have something important to say. Chaitan Rao (Marketing Director, Singapore, Friesland Campina) stated that work environments need to be conducive for working moms, where firstly, they can join the firm easily and secondly, they can thrive and be respected as efficient and capable workers in their own right. Adding to this, Karen Chan (SVP of Digital, APMEA, C&J Clarks) advocated that corporations need to recognize women not just as workers, but also as mothers. Organizations and governments should also re-skill moms after long-term maternity leaves to equip them to remain competitive in a rapidly changing digital workforce while allowing her to spend more time with her family without shame.
MENDORONG PRIA UNTUK MENJADI MITRA YANG LEBIH BAIK DI RUMAH
Ketika para ibu kompeten di tempat kerja dan di rumah, mereka mungkin kekurangan waktu, energi dan sumber daya. Chaitan, satu-satunya panelis laki-laki kami, menambahkan bahwa para suami harus menjadi teladan bagi anak-anak dan keluarga mereka, dengan menghormati istri mereka dan membiarkan mereka menjalani kehidupan yang utuh, dengan memperhatikan aspirasi karier dan non-karier istri mereka. Upaya-upaya yang disengaja juga harus dilakukan untuk memastikan bahwa bias-bias yang tidak disadari tidak ikut bermain.
Para panelis juga secara kolektif setuju bahwa bahasa ibu harus diubah untuk mencakup peran sebagai ayah, di mana cuti orang tua yang setara dapat diterapkan untuk ayah sebagai ibu.
MEMUNGKINKAN PEREMPUAN UNTUK MEMPERTAHANKAN CITRA PERUSAHAAN YANG TERLIHAT DAN PROFESIONAL
Career disruptions may occur at different phases of a woman’s life when she works from home to nurse her children, or handle other family commitments. Karen stressed on this, and also highlighted the importance of leading by actions-as long as one is able to deliver the output and contribute to corporate conversations, working from home should not be frowned upon. Competency and responsibility in what we do are thus core values. When this is the case, increased flexibility to work from home should be encouraged.
LAKI-LAKI SEBAGAI SEKUTU DALAM PERJUANGAN KESETARAAN GENDER
Pada akhirnya, para tokoh laki-laki perlu dibekali untuk perubahan dan terlibat dalam agenda perempuan dengan menjadi bagian dari percakapan tentang kesetaraan. Seruan ini ditekankan oleh Chaitan ketika ia menegaskan bahwa dalam konteks bisnis, perusahaan dapat mendorong budaya yang membuat laki-laki merasa nyaman untuk membicarakan kesetaraan gender, sehingga laki-laki dapat mengekspresikan pandangan mereka secara terbuka dan lebih memahami dilema perempuan dengan latar belakang kondisi sosial yang unik.
The panel was followed by a fireside chat that focused on in-depth experiences in consumer understanding and socio-industrial developments. During the session, Dominique Barral, board member of Catalyx, held a dynamic and candid conversation with our associates, offering tips and tricks about empowering women to be more confident about themselves, boosting health and wellness and creating gender neutral office spaces. Dominique rounded up by attesting that it is crucial for companies to develop a culture of equality and inclusion that supports various opinions, skills and backgrounds, and where social differences are embraced. This enables associates to better understand clients’ diverse backgrounds and their needs and wants in context.
Ultimately, gender equality is crucial for business growth and successful economies, and sustaining a workplace environment that values the talents and perspectives of women is a role that we all play a part in. As a data and technology firm, Nielsen is able to gain deep insights about women’s motivations – to listen to their opinions and perspectives, and understand what is important to them. A glance back at our Consumer Confidence Surveys over the past five years shows women’s increasing confidence and influence. Let’s continue working together to march toward a #BalanceForBetter!
