Men can be allies in the journey towards gender equality

Gender equality is not just about supporting women and other minority genders but also about engaging and changing the minds of men to take charge and lead by example.

This article provides tips for engaging men as allies, the fifth and final action organisations can take to become ‘gender-smart.’ It is part of a campaign launched by Climate KIC, which outlines five actions to address gender inequity in climate entrepreneurship.

Bringing in men as allies

As men make up the majority of leadership positions, they can use their power to create change in the workplace that positively impacts women. Empowering men as allies can allow gender norms and biases to change more quickly, opening up opportunities that benefit everyone involved.

Being an ally means confronting oppressive behaviour when you’re a part of the majority group. It’s about leveraging one’s position to support and advocate for others, aiming to create a fairer and more just world for all. 

Workplace gender bias bingo card

To help identify and address gender biases in the workplace, we are excited to introduce the Workplace Gender Bias Bingo Card! The Bingo card is a tool to help recognise various forms of gender bias that might be present in your work environment. By identifying these biases, you can take actionable steps to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. 

Download Gender Bias Bingo Card here.

Steps to engage men as allies 

• Find passionate allies: Identify men who are passionate about gender equality and train them to be thought leaders in this space. Empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate effectively.
• Change minds and cultures: Encourage men to start changing the minds of other men in their communities or sectors. Provide them with the resources and support to challenge biases and promote inclusive behaviour.
• Provide tools and training: Equip men allies with the necessary tools and training to understand and combat gender bias. This could involve workshops, scenario and bias training, or online courses focusing on diversity and inclusion. 

At Climate KIC, we’re committed to driving systemic change in gender equity across the climate innovation sector. Our programme, supported by Irish Aid, CATAL1.5°T and IDB Lab helps partners identify gaps in their understanding of gender inequity and implement concrete actions for organisations to embed a gender lens into their everyday work.