Latest news with #LeanIn
The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Women revolt at NZ government's pay equity walk-back
New Zealand's government is confronting a backlash from women after cancelling dozens of gender-based pay claims to make savings ahead of a tough-as-nails budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is poised to bank billions from the move, which was announced and legislated inside 48 hours last week. The new law prompted hastily organised protests spanning the length of the country, recalling the mighty pushback that Chris Luxon's government weathered around ill-fated Treaty of Waitangi reforms. This time around, rather than Maori who raised their voices, it has been women. "Women across the country will pay the price for this ... it's a dark day," public sector union boss Fleur Fitzsimons said. Pay equity claims are designed to raise wages in female-dominated industries, in a complex process that involves comparing their work to similar industries. One such example was nursing, which saw a pay equity claim finalised in 2023, bumping salaries for 30,000 workers by tens of thousands of dollars a year - partially to compete with Australian wages. Teachers, hospice workers and midwives were among 150,000 workers in industries who were hoping to finalise similar claims with the government until the shock move last week, which axed 33 unresolved claims. Those industries are expected to lodge claims under a new model, despite the higher thresholds involved. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden said the system needed to be streamlined, given settled claims were costing the government an extra $NZ1.78 billion ($A1.64 billion) each year. Her argument of cost-saving, ahead of the May 22 budget, has allowed opposition parties to claim the government had effectively docked their pay. Prime Minister Chris Luxon argues that isn't right. "The opposition, the unions and frankly the media have been actually scaremongering and being a bit disingenuous about all of this," he said. "We know what we want to fix ... we have moved quickly to make sure that we can get one system in place." Others believe otherwise. "I don't think we've ever seen a clearer example of a government gaslighting half the population than the one we've seen in the last few days," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. "This is about saving money." Alongside the spontaneous protests this weekend, there was near universal condemnation from the commentariat, including one explosive attack from senior and respected journalist Andrea Vance. Ms Vance labelled Ms Willis a "c***" and a "girlboss" who betrayed feminism by defending the cuts by holding a press conference backed by five other female ministers. "All united in a historic act of economic back-handing other women ... kind of like watching a 'Lean In' seminar hosted by the ghost of Margaret Thatcher," Ms Vance wrote in Wellington newspaper The Post. In a right-of-reply in the same masthead, Ms Willis said she was appalled by the arguments. "Having the C-word directed at me by a journalist in a mainstream publication wasn't on my bingo list for Mother's Day 2025. Nor was being accused of 'girl-math'," she wrote. Ms Willis defended the cuts to "unwind a blow-out in costs that Treasury had been forecasting" in favour of other spending. But there will be precious little of that in the May 22 budget, given she has already trimmed her operating allowances in pursuit of a surplus in 2027. New Zealand's government is confronting a backlash from women after cancelling dozens of gender-based pay claims to make savings ahead of a tough-as-nails budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is poised to bank billions from the move, which was announced and legislated inside 48 hours last week. The new law prompted hastily organised protests spanning the length of the country, recalling the mighty pushback that Chris Luxon's government weathered around ill-fated Treaty of Waitangi reforms. This time around, rather than Maori who raised their voices, it has been women. "Women across the country will pay the price for this ... it's a dark day," public sector union boss Fleur Fitzsimons said. Pay equity claims are designed to raise wages in female-dominated industries, in a complex process that involves comparing their work to similar industries. One such example was nursing, which saw a pay equity claim finalised in 2023, bumping salaries for 30,000 workers by tens of thousands of dollars a year - partially to compete with Australian wages. Teachers, hospice workers and midwives were among 150,000 workers in industries who were hoping to finalise similar claims with the government until the shock move last week, which axed 33 unresolved claims. Those industries are expected to lodge claims under a new model, despite the higher thresholds involved. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden said the system needed to be streamlined, given settled claims were costing the government an extra $NZ1.78 billion ($A1.64 billion) each year. Her argument of cost-saving, ahead of the May 22 budget, has allowed opposition parties to claim the government had effectively docked their pay. Prime Minister Chris Luxon argues that isn't right. "The opposition, the unions and frankly the media have been actually scaremongering and being a bit disingenuous about all of this," he said. "We know what we want to fix ... we have moved quickly to make sure that we can get one system in place." Others believe otherwise. "I don't think we've ever seen a clearer example of a government gaslighting half the population than the one we've seen in the last few days," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. "This is about saving money." Alongside the spontaneous protests this weekend, there was near universal condemnation from the commentariat, including one explosive attack from senior and respected journalist Andrea Vance. Ms Vance labelled Ms Willis a "c***" and a "girlboss" who betrayed feminism by defending the cuts by holding a press conference backed by five other female ministers. "All united in a historic act of economic back-handing other women ... kind of like watching a 'Lean In' seminar hosted by the ghost of Margaret Thatcher," Ms Vance wrote in Wellington newspaper The Post. In a right-of-reply in the same masthead, Ms Willis said she was appalled by the arguments. "Having the C-word directed at me by a journalist in a mainstream publication wasn't on my bingo list for Mother's Day 2025. Nor was being accused of 'girl-math'," she wrote. Ms Willis defended the cuts to "unwind a blow-out in costs that Treasury had been forecasting" in favour of other spending. But there will be precious little of that in the May 22 budget, given she has already trimmed her operating allowances in pursuit of a surplus in 2027. New Zealand's government is confronting a backlash from women after cancelling dozens of gender-based pay claims to make savings ahead of a tough-as-nails budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is poised to bank billions from the move, which was announced and legislated inside 48 hours last week. The new law prompted hastily organised protests spanning the length of the country, recalling the mighty pushback that Chris Luxon's government weathered around ill-fated Treaty of Waitangi reforms. This time around, rather than Maori who raised their voices, it has been women. "Women across the country will pay the price for this ... it's a dark day," public sector union boss Fleur Fitzsimons said. Pay equity claims are designed to raise wages in female-dominated industries, in a complex process that involves comparing their work to similar industries. One such example was nursing, which saw a pay equity claim finalised in 2023, bumping salaries for 30,000 workers by tens of thousands of dollars a year - partially to compete with Australian wages. Teachers, hospice workers and midwives were among 150,000 workers in industries who were hoping to finalise similar claims with the government until the shock move last week, which axed 33 unresolved claims. Those industries are expected to lodge claims under a new model, despite the higher thresholds involved. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden said the system needed to be streamlined, given settled claims were costing the government an extra $NZ1.78 billion ($A1.64 billion) each year. Her argument of cost-saving, ahead of the May 22 budget, has allowed opposition parties to claim the government had effectively docked their pay. Prime Minister Chris Luxon argues that isn't right. "The opposition, the unions and frankly the media have been actually scaremongering and being a bit disingenuous about all of this," he said. "We know what we want to fix ... we have moved quickly to make sure that we can get one system in place." Others believe otherwise. "I don't think we've ever seen a clearer example of a government gaslighting half the population than the one we've seen in the last few days," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. "This is about saving money." Alongside the spontaneous protests this weekend, there was near universal condemnation from the commentariat, including one explosive attack from senior and respected journalist Andrea Vance. Ms Vance labelled Ms Willis a "c***" and a "girlboss" who betrayed feminism by defending the cuts by holding a press conference backed by five other female ministers. "All united in a historic act of economic back-handing other women ... kind of like watching a 'Lean In' seminar hosted by the ghost of Margaret Thatcher," Ms Vance wrote in Wellington newspaper The Post. In a right-of-reply in the same masthead, Ms Willis said she was appalled by the arguments. "Having the C-word directed at me by a journalist in a mainstream publication wasn't on my bingo list for Mother's Day 2025. Nor was being accused of 'girl-math'," she wrote. Ms Willis defended the cuts to "unwind a blow-out in costs that Treasury had been forecasting" in favour of other spending. But there will be precious little of that in the May 22 budget, given she has already trimmed her operating allowances in pursuit of a surplus in 2027. New Zealand's government is confronting a backlash from women after cancelling dozens of gender-based pay claims to make savings ahead of a tough-as-nails budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is poised to bank billions from the move, which was announced and legislated inside 48 hours last week. The new law prompted hastily organised protests spanning the length of the country, recalling the mighty pushback that Chris Luxon's government weathered around ill-fated Treaty of Waitangi reforms. This time around, rather than Maori who raised their voices, it has been women. "Women across the country will pay the price for this ... it's a dark day," public sector union boss Fleur Fitzsimons said. Pay equity claims are designed to raise wages in female-dominated industries, in a complex process that involves comparing their work to similar industries. One such example was nursing, which saw a pay equity claim finalised in 2023, bumping salaries for 30,000 workers by tens of thousands of dollars a year - partially to compete with Australian wages. Teachers, hospice workers and midwives were among 150,000 workers in industries who were hoping to finalise similar claims with the government until the shock move last week, which axed 33 unresolved claims. Those industries are expected to lodge claims under a new model, despite the higher thresholds involved. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden said the system needed to be streamlined, given settled claims were costing the government an extra $NZ1.78 billion ($A1.64 billion) each year. Her argument of cost-saving, ahead of the May 22 budget, has allowed opposition parties to claim the government had effectively docked their pay. Prime Minister Chris Luxon argues that isn't right. "The opposition, the unions and frankly the media have been actually scaremongering and being a bit disingenuous about all of this," he said. "We know what we want to fix ... we have moved quickly to make sure that we can get one system in place." Others believe otherwise. "I don't think we've ever seen a clearer example of a government gaslighting half the population than the one we've seen in the last few days," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. "This is about saving money." Alongside the spontaneous protests this weekend, there was near universal condemnation from the commentariat, including one explosive attack from senior and respected journalist Andrea Vance. Ms Vance labelled Ms Willis a "c***" and a "girlboss" who betrayed feminism by defending the cuts by holding a press conference backed by five other female ministers. "All united in a historic act of economic back-handing other women ... kind of like watching a 'Lean In' seminar hosted by the ghost of Margaret Thatcher," Ms Vance wrote in Wellington newspaper The Post. In a right-of-reply in the same masthead, Ms Willis said she was appalled by the arguments. "Having the C-word directed at me by a journalist in a mainstream publication wasn't on my bingo list for Mother's Day 2025. Nor was being accused of 'girl-math'," she wrote. Ms Willis defended the cuts to "unwind a blow-out in costs that Treasury had been forecasting" in favour of other spending. But there will be precious little of that in the May 22 budget, given she has already trimmed her operating allowances in pursuit of a surplus in 2027.
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Women revolt at NZ government's pay equity walk-back
New Zealand's government is confronting a backlash from women after cancelling dozens of gender-based pay claims to make savings ahead of a tough-as-nails budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is poised to bank billions from the move, which was announced and legislated inside 48 hours last week. The new law prompted hastily organised protests spanning the length of the country, recalling the mighty pushback that Chris Luxon's government weathered around ill-fated Treaty of Waitangi reforms. This time around, rather than Maori who raised their voices, it has been women. "Women across the country will pay the price for this ... it's a dark day," public sector union boss Fleur Fitzsimons said. Pay equity claims are designed to raise wages in female-dominated industries, in a complex process that involves comparing their work to similar industries. One such example was nursing, which saw a pay equity claim finalised in 2023, bumping salaries for 30,000 workers by tens of thousands of dollars a year - partially to compete with Australian wages. Teachers, hospice workers and midwives were among 150,000 workers in industries who were hoping to finalise similar claims with the government until the shock move last week, which axed 33 unresolved claims. Those industries are expected to lodge claims under a new model, despite the higher thresholds involved. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden said the system needed to be streamlined, given settled claims were costing the government an extra $NZ1.78 billion ($A1.64 billion) each year. Her argument of cost-saving, ahead of the May 22 budget, has allowed opposition parties to claim the government had effectively docked their pay. Prime Minister Chris Luxon argues that isn't right. "The opposition, the unions and frankly the media have been actually scaremongering and being a bit disingenuous about all of this," he said. "We know what we want to fix ... we have moved quickly to make sure that we can get one system in place." Others believe otherwise. "I don't think we've ever seen a clearer example of a government gaslighting half the population than the one we've seen in the last few days," Labour leader Chris Hipkins said. "This is about saving money." Alongside the spontaneous protests this weekend, there was near universal condemnation from the commentariat, including one explosive attack from senior and respected journalist Andrea Vance. Ms Vance labelled Ms Willis a "c***" and a "girlboss" who betrayed feminism by defending the cuts by holding a press conference backed by five other female ministers. "All united in a historic act of economic back-handing other women ... kind of like watching a 'Lean In' seminar hosted by the ghost of Margaret Thatcher," Ms Vance wrote in Wellington newspaper The Post. In a right-of-reply in the same masthead, Ms Willis said she was appalled by the arguments. "Having the C-word directed at me by a journalist in a mainstream publication wasn't on my bingo list for Mother's Day 2025. Nor was being accused of 'girl-math'," she wrote. Ms Willis defended the cuts to "unwind a blow-out in costs that Treasury had been forecasting" in favour of other spending. But there will be precious little of that in the May 22 budget, given she has already trimmed her operating allowances in pursuit of a surplus in 2027.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
unfriending facebook review of careless people a story of where i used to work by sarah wynn williams
Sarah Wynn-Williams' Careless People is a revelatory exposé of Facebook (now Meta) and its meteoric rise to global dominance, penned by someone who was once in the inner circle. As a former Director of Global Public Policy, Wynn-Williams had a front-row seat to the corporate and political machinations that shaped Facebook into one of the world's most influential tools, and in many ways, its most reckless. Within a few chapters into the book, you will know why Meta has tried to block the book's sale and bar the author from further promoting it. What Wynn-Williams offers is a darkly funny, shocking, and ultimately devastating portrait of a company that has irreversibly transformed how people interact, communicate, and perceive the world—often for the worse. Wynn-Williams' narrative is compelling because it is as much a personal memoir as it is a damning critique of Facebook's leadership, particularly Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg. She draws a clear parallel between these figures and the careless characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, quoting the novel's infamous line, 'they smashed up things and creatures, and then retreated back into their money.' It's an apt analogy for Zuckerberg and Sandberg, who, despite holding immense power, seem unaware—or unwilling to acknowledge—the havoc their decisions have caused. Toxic culture The memoir opens with Wynn-Williams' idealistic vision of Facebook when she first joined in 2011. Coming from a background in diplomacy, particularly in human rights and environmental issues, she initially, naively saw the platform as a force for good, capable of social change. However, subsequently she discovers, Facebook's corporate culture is less about social good and more about cultivating a toxic environment fuelled by ambition, indifference, and a thirst for power. As the book progresses, Wynn-Williams' disillusionment deepens. She paints Zuckerberg as a man increasingly desperate for adoration, switching from an engineering focus to a more political one. The image of Zuckerberg at his first meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in 2012, 'nervous and sweaty', is a stark contrast to the self-assured, power-hungry figure he would later become. His evolving ambitions, including a failed attempt at embedding himself in global political circles and even considering a presidential run, reflect his growing desire for influence and control over the global narrative, often at the expense of ethical decision-making. Critique of Sandberg Wynn-Williams also delivers a piercing critique of Sandberg, who, despite her feminist rhetoric, is depicted as manipulative and indifferent to the struggles of others. Wynn-Williams is unflinching in portraying Sandberg's dual persona—one that appeals to women's empowerment through her Lean In manifesto, but which, in Wynn-Williams' eyes, is a mask for deeply entrenched power dynamics and cruelty. Perhaps the most chilling part of Careless People is Wynn-Williams' account of Facebook's role in global events, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the genocide of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. She reveals how Facebook's platform was exploited for disinformation campaigns, helping to elect Donald Trump and enable the spread of hate speech that incited violence against the Rohingya. Despite being warned about these risks, the company failed to act swiftly, leaving millions vulnerable to the damage Facebook's algorithms allowed to flourish. Wynn-Williams' efforts to raise alarms about the crisis in Myanmar are particularly poignant, as she recounts the slow and inadequate response from the company, highlighting its complete disregard for the consequences of its global reach. Ethical flexibility The book also details Facebook's failed attempts to ingratiate itself with authoritarian regimes, such as its ill-fated plans to enter China. These efforts, code-named 'Aldrin' after the famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin who landed the first manned spacecraft to the moon, were designed to make Facebook compliant with the Chinese Communist Party's demands for censorship and surveillance. In a particularly damning passage, Wynn-Williams describes Zuckerberg's calculated deception when testifying before Congress, denying any complicity in China's suppression of free speech. This kind of ethical flexibility, coupled with a disregard for truth, is a recurring theme throughout the book. Yet, as much as Wynn-Williams exposes the flaws and moral failings of Facebook's leadership, she also forces a reckoning with her own complicity. There are moments in the narrative where Wynn-Williams acknowledges her own role in perpetuating the company's problems, from supporting controversial initiatives like to her failure to fully grasp the impact of the platform's exploitation until it was too late. As a policy leader within Facebook, she was aware of the risks but did little to stop them, instead choosing to follow the company's direction until her own position became untenable. Wynn-Williams' delayed recognition of Facebook's role in global harm and her eventual exit in 2018 speak to a broader issue within the tech industry: a detachment from the consequences of the decisions made in Silicon Valley's ivory towers. By the time Wynn-Williams left Facebook, she had become disillusioned with the company's leadership and their ability to effect meaningful change. Her disillusionment is painfully clear, and her personal reckoning is both heartbreaking and relatable. It underscores the moral compromise many of those who work in powerful tech companies face: the pressure to conform to a corporate culture that prizes profitability over social responsibility. A face to the damage Despite these shortcomings, Careless People is an important and brave book. It offers a rare, candid glimpse into the internal workings of Facebook at the highest levels, and provides readers with a nuanced perspective on the dangers of unchecked corporate power. It may not offer groundbreaking revelations—many of the issues Wynn-Williams discusses have already been covered in the media—but it puts a human face to the damage Facebook has caused and continues to cause. For readers familiar with Facebook's history and the broader tech landscape, Careless People is a sobering reminder of the perils of unchecked corporate power. For those who are new to these issues, it is an essential starting point to understand the way social media platforms can shape not only individual lives but entire nations and global movements. Careless People: A Story of Where I Used to Work Sarah Wynn-Williams Pan Macmillan India ₹699
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Mentorship: The Solution To The 134-Year Gender Gap
Shikha Bajaj | Award-Winning Author, Mentor, Transformation Leader.\ 134 years! If we don't redesign the system within which we work, interact and provide support, this is the amount of time it will take to achieve gender equality at a global level, based on the World Economic Forum's "Global Gender Gap 2024" report. However, we don't need to accept this timeline. Change can happen faster—if women are willing to step into their power and support one another, and if men truly become allies in the quest for gender balance. And it's not just about balance; it is about human prosperity, more opportunities and a better world. At the center of this transformation? Mentorship. Do you remember the best leader you've ever worked under? Most likely, they were not the only one at the top. Behind successful individuals is a group of mentors, sponsors and nurturers who assisted them throughout their career. Companies that promote mentorship are not only helping individuals but also creating teams that are more robust, innovative and stronger at problem-solving. Effective businesses know that investing in mentorship not only helps employees build successful careers but also strengthens a culture of trust. Undoubtedly, life as a woman in the workforce is challenging. From being talked over during a staff meeting to being sidelined in various leadership positions, the challenges are endless. However, supporting other women can drastically change everything. I have seen that when women support each other through mentorship programs, friendship or even just someone to talk to, they help each other profoundly. With a little effort, we can demolish some of the obstacles standing in the way of work becoming a place where we all flourish. When women mentor other women, sponsor them and advocate for their causes: • There is increased confidence, as when someone believes in you, you are compelled to believe in yourself. • Incrementally, more women assume leadership positions, resulting in the cycle of underrepresentation being broken. • Slowly, barriers begin to break for subsequent generations to benefit. This support, however, must be genuine and not shallow. This means recognizing one another's achievements, creating opportunities for other women to join the table and not subscribing to the fallacy that success is a scarce commodity. The ugly truth? If women are the sole ones advocating for gender equity, change will be minimal. Men need to support women through mentoring and beyond as sponsors, advocates and allies. Despite the increase in trainings to promote inclusion, the organization Lean In finds that men are still far less likely than women to recognize and respond to microaggressions against women. For these men, the reality is that they do not know how to be allies. An ally does not focus on dominating the conversation. Instead, an ally builds the frameworks for women to speak and lead. That includes listening to women, promoting their voices and actively engaging in the work. Moreover, an ally speaks out when they see bias, fights for equal wages and uses power in ways that facilitate constructive change. This extends beyond the field of business. It is a matter for humanity. Gender equity creates greater economies, improved communities and a more equitable world. Per McKinsey, eliminating the gender disparity would increase the global GDP by $28 trillion. Ultimately, mentoring is not limited to improving career success. It involves breaking out of the cycles of underrepresentation and improving entire communities. Empowering one individual creates impacts that last for generations. My work with the #OwnYourColor movement is dedicated to the simple but profound idea that when people show up fully as themselves and support others in doing the same, we all rise. 134 years is too long to wait. The world needs all of us—our voices, our differences and our commitment to lifting one another up. Corporate leaders: It's time to invest in mentorship, sponsorship and allyship. By creating room for diverse leadership, we move toward a future where everyone can thrive. Let's create that world—together. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Malay Mail
24-04-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Fairness means ditching the myth of the self-made woman — Shakira Teh Sharifuddin
APRIL 24 — In her book Against Meritocracy: Culture, Power and the Myths of Mobility, sociologist Jo Littler critiques what she calls 'neoliberal feminism' — the idea that women can succeed in male-dominated spaces simply by working hard and being ambitious. Personalities like tech executive Sheryl Sandberg, known for the Lean In movement, embody this vision. But Littler argues that this perspective ignores systemic discrimination and disadvantages working-class women, women of certain ethnicity, disabled women and other marginalised groups. Littler was also of the opinion that mainstream media and, I would add, corporate culture only celebrate 'exceptional' or high-achieving women who succeed despite obstacles, reinforcing the idea that success and failure is a personal rather than a structural issue. Herein lies the problem. For as long as women define and measure success according to conventional standards, such as becoming a CEO, a successful entrepreneur, or the first person to achieve something, the focus remains on breaking symbolic glass ceilings rather than addressing the deeper structural barriers that sustain inequality. For privileged women, particularly those of higher social class, the response to justify their worth and to counter the disadvantages and challenges they face due to their gender is to throw themselves into the meritocratic race, competing for the same rewards while downplaying the class privileges that made this possible. Sheryl Sandberg, the face of 'Lean In' feminism, remains a symbol of meritocratic success — one that critics argue overlooks the structural barriers many women still face. — Reuters pic What is even more unfortunate is that, as a result of this race to the top and the rhetoric of personal effort and merit, there is a tendency to shy away from or altogether avoid honest discussions about removing and challenging the structural barriers that prevent many capable individuals not just women who may be mothers or daughters, but also men, caregivers, and people with disabilities from participating meaningfully in society. This partly explains why, despite more women in senior roles, progress toward a more flexible, inclusive workplace for everyone has been slow. It also explains why the idea of work-life balance is often viewed and dismissed as unproductive. As hard or unrealistic as it may be, it is worthwhile to re-examine and challenge this view. In a world where reaching the top is possible only for a select few, it is even more important to acknowledge and celebrate the many women who choose different paths, raising families, starting home businesses, or caring for elderly or ill family members. Their contributions are just as valuable to society, if not more. I hesitated to write this, having shared similar thoughts before. However, after watching and reading about the various events and discussions surrounding International Women's Day this month, I feel it is worth sharing some of my personal thoughts and observations, if only to get them off my chest. It was encouraging to see more conversations about the challenges women face, such as access to care work and health services. At the same time, however, it was somewhat uninspiring and disappointing to see the girlboss and hustle culture narrative still being promoted at large in some spaces, especially by women in the corporate arena. I am aware of the privilege that allows me the time to reflect and write. Still, I hope for growing awareness of the many intersections — gender, class, disability, ethnicity and greater empathy. Not everyone and certainly not every woman starts from the same place. By listening to the everyday stories of women, we gain insights statistics cannot offer and shift the conversation from merit to fairness. * Shakira Teh Sharifuddin is a PhD candidate in Sociology of Education. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
