Subtle prejudices abound and must be challenged

Just the other week I was asked to present a webinar for a prestigious organisation and the organiser actually asked if the timing was suitable, or would I be cooking dinner at that time. A man would never be asked that. It’s part of the whole picture women still face far more than they should have to, and it has to stop.

We all have a duty to challenge these preconceptions and even the subtle prejudices that still abound. I’ve had all the usual demeaning comments about how young I looked, or surprise that I was a woman when I’ve used my title, professor Britton.

I still know of trainee lawyers being asked to make the tea or clean the toilets because they are women. Men wouldn’t tolerate that. Why should we? Toxic behaviour takes many forms, including the assumption women with children wouldn’t be available to attend a conference or take on extra work. That damages career opportunities. Women should always be offered that opportunity.

I had kids. I did all those things. I didn’t mind staying up late working after they had their bath.

When women are asked if they have kids, too often that’s used as a sword, especially when children are young. I remember being asked how old mine were. The following silence implied I should be at home looking after them. I’m proud I never had to stop lecturing. I wanted to be a good role model for my daughter. But I also I wanted to be a good role model for my son.

It’s deeply frustrating we still have the attitude women bosses are pushy while men are ambitious.