As the communication buzz around International Women’s Day is about to peak soon, it's crucial to ensure that the messages delivered are actually unbiased and free from stereotypes.
 
Before hitting that publish button, here's a simple yet effective method to check it for bias: Flip It To Test It.

This method involves flipping the narrative by changing key elements such as #gender or age.

Let’s consider this drawing based on real-life example from last year’s International Women’s Day – a picture featuring middle-aged women, senior leaders, accompanied by the hashtag #girlpower. At first glance, it seems to convey a powerful message.

But let’s pause for a moment. Would the same framework be applied if it were for International Men’s Day? Would it feel accurate to depict middle-aged men, senior leaders, with a hashtag #boypower? Or would it strike us as odd?

Women are often introduced without their surname or title, called by a “cuter” version of their name, or referred to as “girls”. While on personal level this may be appreciated, it can also be perceived as infantilizing and perpetuating stereotypes in a workplace.

So, before finalizing our #iwd2024 communication, let’s flip it to test it. Would the message still hold up if the genders were reversed? Does it promote equality and inclusivity?