Men, Here Are 21 Ways You Can Support Gender Equity in the Workplace

In a recent poll of 4,500 women conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of theSkimm, 82% of millennial women said “everyone talks about how overburdened women are, but no one is actually helping them ease the burden.”

It got me thinking. The most vocal advocates for gender equity are women themselves. We are waving the flags, running the networking groups, organizing the conferences, and screaming from the top of our lungs that things aren’t changing fast enough. We’re doing this on top of our day jobs and the disproportionate domestic work at home.

I’m not alone in saying: we need help here.  

In that same survey, 84% of women said men should “step up and become advocates and partners in the push for women's equity in society.” So, I’ve compiled a non-comprehensive list of things men can do to help close the gender gap in the workplace.

First, know the data.

Make yourself aware of the objective gender discrepancies at a national level. Here are some stats to know:

• The gender pay gap hasn’t really changed in two decades: women still earn 82% of men’s salaries for the same work (it’s even worse for women of color)

• Only around 5% of CEOs are women

• Women are 14% less likely to be promoted than their male counterparts

• Women account for less than 15% of VC check-writers

• Women-founded startups raised 1.9% of all VC funds in 2022, a drop from 2021

Then, take a look around you. Do you know how your workplace stacks up? How many women are in the c-suite? On the board? On the cap table? How much are women making compared to their male counterparts? Are they happy and thriving? If that info isn’t available, do the math or commission an internal report to find out.  

Then, take a stand

Once you take stock of what’s around you, fix what you can. For anything you can’t directly fix, advocate for change. Bring up the topic in meetings. Ask leadership for accountability. Specifically, you can:

1. Call out inappropriate behavior or language, pushing back against assumptions or stereotypes about women

2. Share how much you make with women peers 

3. Demand fair parental leave policies (for all parents)

4. Push for sexism and gender bias training

5. Advocate for policies that protect against harassment and discrimination

6. Actively work to create a more inclusive culture

7. Ask about lactation rooms, free period products in the bathrooms, and other accommodations

8. Support flexible work arrangements

9. From legal services to catering, hire and recommend women-owned businesses  

10. Schedule the majority of work events and celebrations during work hours

11. And please, please, please take parental leave! Set an example for your colleagues by taking full parental leave. This can help to reduce the stigma around taking time off for family responsibilities and make it easier for women (and men!) to do the same. 

Finally, lend your credibility

Break out of the boys’ club and consider what you can personally do to support women in your industry. Use your power and influence to help others unlock their potential. Here are some ways to lend your credibility:

12. Make strategic introductions to help women connect and network

13. Amplify the voices of women by following and engaging with them on social media

14. Suggest or nominate a woman for one of the many press lists (e.g. “40 under 40”) or awards

15. Invite women to events and meetings, and make sure they feel like they belong there

16. Refuse to speak at conferences that have not committed to gender equity on stage

17. When turning down speaking or press opportunities, suggest a woman instead

18. Proactively share opportunities with women, if you’re an (angel) investor, share deals with women angels and investors. If you’re a founder, seek more women on your cap table 

19. Support women in negotiations by providing guidance and advice and advocating for their interests

20. Sponsor or volunteer at conferences and groups dedicated to supporting women in business

21. Offer to write letters of recommendations for graduate school

And then do the things above twice as often for women of color, who face even higher barriers and get less support. 

We’re in this together

We’ve been having these same conversations my entire career, and progress isn’t happening fast enough. In fact, at this rate, it will take more than half a century to close the gender pay gap. Women are exhausted and we need your help. 

A workplace that values gender equality and promotes diversity and inclusivity creates a positive work culture where everyone feels more respected and valued. This can lead to better communication, collaboration, and teamwork. Plus, it’s good for business. Companies with more women in senior management teams have about 30% higher profit margins than those with lower gender diversity. 

When opportunity isn’t tethered to your gender or ethnicity or any other chance aspects of your existence, we all win.