Even when organizations have the best intentions of eliminating gender inequality in the workplace, the approach or strategies are often flawed or fraught with assumptions.
Sexism and discrimination contribute to gender inequality and still exist in the United States and continues to be intrinsic within our ethos. For instance, why are the number of sexual assault victims disproportionately higher for women than men? Why do we have a consistent differential gap regarding those in senior leadership? Why does one in four transgender people lose their job due to bias? Why do we have wage disparity that purports an 85% differential in pay compared to men? Why do more than three-fourths of transgender people experience some form of workplace discrimination? And why is there a difference in expectations about how women should dress, behave, or work?
Gender equality and gender equity are two different concepts with different outcomes. Gender equality is the process of being fair while gender equity recognizes other circumstances exist; therefore, resources and opportunities are allocated based on each group's needs to reach an equal outcome.
*When referring to women or men, this means all women or men who identify as such and include, but are not limited to, trans individuals, non-binary individuals, or those who are gender non-conforming.
Under the leadership of Yvette Lucero-Nguyen and her staff, UNC, specifically the Center for Women's and Gender Equity (CWGE) and Stryker Institute, has created several inclusive initiatives to integrate gender equity on our campus. These initiatives keep gender equity and intersectionality as the nexus. The following examples exemplify Doing the Work:
Baby Changing Stations
Between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, eleven new baby changing stations were installed.
In addition, locations were prioritized to be placed in all-gender restrooms to increase
access regardless of gender.
Mamava Lactation Pod
In collaboration and support from Student LEAF and Dr. Alena Clark, faculty in Nutrition
and Dietetics, a ribbon-cutting ceremony introduced the Mamava Lactation Pod. This
design solution pod provides a private, freestanding, and ADA-accessible lactation
space in the lower level of Michener Library near the library entrance. The addition
of the Mamava pod creates the 9th gender-inclusive lactation space for individuals to express their milk in a private or semi-private location.
Project M.E.
Project M.E. was established to address the barrier students may experience accessing monthly
supply of menstrual hygiene products. This was a collaboration between the CWGE, Office
of Health Promotion, Student LEAF, and Student Senate. In addition to providing menstrual
products, a goal of Project M.E. is to educate UNC students about reproductive health
and menstruation. Furthermore, UNC Facilities and Student LEAF supported and funded
the conversion of all current menstrual hygiene product dispensers to FREE across
our entire campus.
Lactation Support Policy
Through the ongoing advocacy for strengthening the rights and support for students,
faculty, and staff, the original Lactation Support Policy was strengthened and subsequently
adopted within UNC's Article 12 of the University Regulations. This policy acknowledges the importance and benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding
for lactating individuals and their children. UNC provides breaks for milk expression
to faculty, staff, and students, which can also be done at any of the nine lactation stations across the campus. In addition, a hospital-grade multi-user breast pump can be used
at the CWGE lactation station.
Stryker Institute for Leadership Development
This year's cohort is the second-largest incoming cohort since the program was founded.
Through a generous donation by Ronda Stryker, the Stryker Institute has served and supported over 500 scholars
at UNC for almost 20 years focusing on women from underrepresented groups. In addition,
UNC has received a $5 million donation to support the program over the next five years.
For additional education and personal development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the following resources are available: DDEI Education and Resources, DEI & Antiracism Resources from the UNC Libraries, the Education Equity Toolkit from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the UNITE workshops for faculty, staff, and students.
