Gender equity is not an act of generosity; it is a fundamental responsibility. This became clear when I spoke at Lohana Community North London’s International Women’s Day event. It was not just another discussion on inclusion but a rallying cry.
The conversation focused on empowerment, representation, and breaking barriers, inspiring everyone to take tangible steps toward change.
By Ketan Dattani
The Role of Men in Driving Change
Gender equity is not just a women’s issue. It requires active engagement from men—not from the sidelines, but as committed allies at the forefront.
Allyship: More Than a Buzzword
Allyship is often misunderstood. It is more than words of encouragement or symbolic gestures. Real allyship demands intentional actions to create lasting change.
For men, this means shifting from mentorship to sponsorship. It is about using influence to advocate for women, champion them in leadership, and amplify their voices in decision-making spaces. It is the difference between talking about change and actually making it happen.
Listening: Understanding, Not Just Hearing
One key takeaway from the event was the importance of deep, intentional listening. Too often, well-meaning men assume they understand the challenges women face. True allyship requires not just hearing, but understanding. Listening means empathising with experiences and using that knowledge to act.
As a South Asian male, this message resonates with me. My mother, a refugee from East Africa, rebuilt her life in the UK while balancing roles as a caregiver, community leader, and spirituality trailblazer all while battling with a debilitating disease. Her resilience taught me that allyship is built on everyday commitments to equality, respect, and fairness.
But it was not just my mother’s strength that shaped me. My father, too, played a pivotal role. He believed in equality as a fundamental principle, showing that real leadership includes making space for others, advocating for fairness, and standing up against injustice, even when inconvenient. His unwavering support for my mother’s ambitions taught me that gender equity is not just about empowering women, it’s about transforming society for the better.
The Reality Check: Barriers Still Exist
Despite progress, gender equity remains a work in progress. Women are still underrepresented in leadership, the gender pay gap persists, and bias, both overt and subtle, continues to shape career progression.
It’s easy to celebrate progress, but the statistics reflect real, lived experiences. Gender equity is not an abstract goal; it’s a daily struggle. These barriers won’t disappear without sustained effort.
Courageous Conversations Lead to Change
What moved me most during the event was the courage and passion in the room. The insights shared were powerful. It is these difficult conversations that push the movement for gender equity forward.
But conversation alone is not enough. Dialogue must lead to action. The future we strive for should not be one where gender equity is an aspiration; it must be a reality we see and feel every day.
Moving Beyond Words: Creating Real Change
I challenge us all men and women alike to move beyond words and take responsibility for meaningful change. Allyship is not just about showing up for a conversation; it’s about using our influence, resources, and privilege to drive systemic shifts. It’s about breaking old patterns and creating space for a more equitable future.
As a male, my commitment to allyship is personal. The values my parents instilled in me, humility, listening, and courage to act guide me today. Their example shapes how I approach allyship by using my voice, platform, and position to advocate for gender equality.
I refuse to be part of a conversation that stops at words. Let us not just talk about gender equity; let us make it a reality. Together, we can create a future where women are not only represented but empowered to lead and thrive.
About Ketan
Ketan Dattani is the CEO and Founding Owner of Buckingham Futures, a company that specialises in recruitment and consultancy in the environmental health sector. He has over 25 years of experience and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biotechnology and a Master’s in Environmental Planning and Management.
Beyond his professional work, Ketan actively volunteers with schools, colleges, and universities across the UK, offering career guidance and workshops to students pursuing careers in environmental health, sustainability, and recruitment.
You might also enjoy reading about our conversation with the president of women’s charity, Soroptimist about taking the fight for women’s rights to the world stage/
