Page 41 - Headingtonian Magazine 2017

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2017
SCHOOL FEATURE
DADS4DAUGHTERS LAUNCHES
Sometimes, when you look at the massive scale of a problem such as gender inequality, it can be daunting to imagine how things can be changed, but once you focus on making such issues more personal, a very different picture begins to emerge. This individual approach was at the very heart of the recent successful Dads4Daughters launch event at Headington.
Dads4Daughters is an important national campaign which is inspired by the UN’s HeForShe campaign for which Headington alumna, Emma Watson, is such a powerful advocate. Dads4Daughters is championed by the Girls’ School Association with over fifty leading girls’ schools and companies such as Aviva and Ernst & Young already taking part.
Headington’s Dads4Daughters March 2017 launch was focused around the eye-opening survey results which we received from Headington alumnae, aged between 25
and 35, on the topic of gender inequality. The most alarming statistic showed that 62% of the alumnae surveyed had already encountered gender inequality in the workplace. A majority of our alumnae was significantly concerned about pay inequality in the workplace.
Comments from our alumnae such as “... everything changes when you have children. You are no longer perceived as being competent or committed to doing your job,” brought gender inequality issues into sharp focus. Many alumnae also commented on
hidden sexism or unconcious gender bias with observations such as misogyny “is often ignored, or accepted as reasonable, because it’s insidious rather than blatant.”
As well as hearing about these alumnae survey results at the launch, guests heard from our panel of Headington dads, a leading young alumna, and our Head Girl, each offering their own gender inequality perspectives. The audience of dads and daughters were then asked to share their thoughts on inequality within workplaces and
contribute practical ideas and pledges for championing change.
The Headington community is now being asked to vote on their preferred three pledges which will then form the basis of an action plan which we will use to encourage Headington dads to champion gender equality in their own workplaces. We will then follow up with the dads to see how they are progressing as well as hosting a second Dads4Daughters event at Headington next year.
Tim Edge
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