Annoying words we must render useless

Manels and hepeating have no place in New Zealand, national business editor Ellen Read says.

Thankfully we’ve moved on from the argument about why gender equality is good for business but it’s still an uphill battle in practice.

Well, when I say moved on I mean that we have got to the stage where the robust business case for gender (and wider) diversity is mainstream.

But few actually walk the talk. This is obviously intensely irritating, but it is also bad for business and society and that’s not something New Zealand should accept.

Help is at hand in the form of The Pursuit of Gender Equality: An Uphill Battle released this month by the OECD.

‘‘Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right. It is also a keystone of a prosperous, modern economy that provides sustainable inclusive growth. ,’’ it begins.

So far, so good. But then things take a darker turn.

‘‘In the past five years, countries have made very little progress in reaching gender equality goals. Gender gaps persist in all areas of social and economic life and across countries, and the size of these gaps has often changed little.’’

Sobering.

The report goes on to offer suggested policy steps including (and this is a very short, basic wrap) facilitating access to capital for women entrepreneurs, addressing gender disparities in self-employment rates, financial literacy and, perhaps most controversially, affirmative action measures.

While we don’t know the makeup of the new government then it’s not worth lobbying, yet, on suggestions for changes to rules and regulations needed to make this a reality. That time will come.

But we can act individually and apply judicious pressure. Until we make a conscious decision to do this, things won’t change.

Take, for example, last week’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

It’s well respected and showcases some great talent, but this year’s finalists were all men. I’m sure they were all excellent candidates but I’m equally sure there are women entrepreneurs who stand alongside them. A shame not to see them represented.

More than a shame, a lost opportunity to inspire the next generation as it’s pretty hard to be what you can’t see.

I leave you with two new words (well new to me): manel, a panel with no women; and hepeat, when a man takes a woman’s idea, repeats it and is listened to.

Hopefully they will be shortlived in their use.