To mark International Women’s Day (IWD), Lavanya Kanapathypillai celebrates and acknowledges the women in biomedical science and addresses the ways in which we can provide support.
IWD, marked on 8 March, celebrates social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It is a call for women’s equality, the right to be free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A reminder to create and action awareness for diversity, inclusion, and equity for females across the globe.
The first official IWD gathering took place in 1911, women and men campaigned for women’s rights to work, vote, train, and end discrimination. Today there are women in leadership roles acting as role models and providing mentorship to a new generation so they can reach their goals and aspirations – something I am grateful for. However, there is a reinforced culture for women to stay small – a career block, where dreams and talents are kept to themselves. It takes a strong mindset to break the cycle and to create a workplace for bright and ambitious individuals to shine in an environment that is safe, rewarding and provides equal opportunities for all.
How can you support career women?
Create a supportive work environment where individuals are valued and feel heard. Be open to discuss limitations and barriers. Identify skills and knowledge gaps that affect career progression and enable further education, resources, and opportunities. Personal circumstances shouldn’t be a limitation. Be open to listen and acknowledge what change is required. This could be accommodating women’s health, carer/childcare responsibilities and allowing flexible working.
What can you do for yourself?
Dare to dream and achieve. Have a vision. Have the urge to explore. To allow yourself to feel confident and accomplished, create a vision of what you want for yourself. Discuss personal goals with your appraiser and ask for support from the experts in the field. Seek guidance when you feel stuck. It is easy to assume help is not available, have the courage to speak up.
Recognise imposter syndrome (self-doubt, overthinking, lack of trust, stress, and anxiety) is common in women today. There are courses and health and wellbeing facilities available to equip you with skills to overcome these.
Don’t be afraid of failure. Be proactive, the grass is green where you water it. Seek mentorship or guidance especially if you are breaking stereotypes or overcoming barriers. Find and attend courses beneficial to you. Identify and build experiences, skills are always an asset to career progression!
Be adaptable and patient, especially in the current industry. Keep a positive mindset and outlook. Lastly but not finally, do not downplay your success – know your self-worth.
Career women today have limitations but have the unity to overcome these. Change is present but more is to come. I hope to see representation in leadership roles with a healthy work–life balance.
Lavanya Kanapathypillai is a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology and member of the IBMS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group.
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