As International Women’s Day (IWD) approaches (8 March) many men wonder what this means for them. Men frequently tell me that they don’t know what to do around IWD. Some actively avoid it. They may be:

• worried about saying the wrong thing

• fearful of using the wrong language

• ready to roll their eyes

• thinking it has nothing to do with them

• not thinking about the women in their life

• reticent to do anything in case they get it wrong and show their lack of knowledge

It is vital to involve men so that they can be better allies/ advocates/ accomplices. The evidence is clear; men in more gender equal societies are happier and more satisfied in work/ home life. Furthermore, gender diverse organisations are more profitable.

Can you help us/ them? I have gathered 24 actions for “MALliEs” (MALE ALLIES) to get you started. Please recommend tips/ articles/ podcasts/ books so we can co create comprehensive resources to support men becoming better MALliEs on IWD and beyond.

MALliEs TOP TIPS

• Don’t be a D*ck

• Learn from women (of all kinds) and listen with intent to understand. Reflect and then take ACTION.

• Be a committed mentor; recognise you have much to discover from the mentoring relationship. Lift others up by advocating and through sponsorship

• Address inequalities systemically

• Educate yourself about fragile masculinity; it can generate harmful behaviours that are often contagious (HBR Article)

• Be curious – grow from hearing women’s experiences. Recognise race, religion, disability, class and age can overlap and result in women’s experiences differing enormously (Learn about “intersectionality”)

• Challenge inappropriate behaviour. Be comfortable being uncomfortable

• Learn about periods/ endometriosis/ menopause so you can speak competently about them

• Join a Women’s/ Gender Network

• Live your organisational values daily; if you don’t it this emboldens poor behaviours and bad cultures

• Language matters. Use inclusive terms in order to ensure everyone belongs. Does your organisation have inclusive language guidance? Here is NATO’s (Gender Inclusive Language Guide)

• Read books written by women. Read Chapter 4 of Mary Ann Sieghart’s “The Authority Gap”. And then read the whole book!

• Evidence is essential – quantitative and qualitative. Caroline Criado Perez’s “Invisible Women” has an abundance of evidence

• Listen to Women’s Hour on BBC Radio 4

• Don’t interrupt or talk over women. Don’t ignore/ overlook women

• Tune into microaggressions – understand the impact (HBR Article)

• Recognise you don’t know everything, but have an open mind and a tolerance for ambiguity. Be kind

• Take paternity leave. Help destigmatise it (some organisations have parental leave to help ensure all parents consider taking it!)

• Use your privilege to amplify women’s voices

• Stick to substance; avoid froth and virtue signalling (Definition Cambridge Dictionary)

• Create conditions for all voices to be heard

• Remember: it is not about you – avoid acquiring a “saviour complex”

• Do all of the above every day of the year, not just on IWD or during Black History Month. Be an ally for all underrepresented groups in your organisation

• Final reminder… don’t be a D*ck