Women's History Month: Being a better ally

This month is all about women! Women’s History Month is our time to recognise and celebrate the contributions of women to history, culture and society. This is so important as we must acknowledge and celebrate these achievements as well as highlight the unique challenges women face in the home, within their careers and in society. We ensure that during this month we highlight these challenges but also celebrate the great things women do! It’s important that we all come together as allies for women, which involves not only awareness of the issues and successes but actionable things we can do for them.

Allyship is an ongoing process of learning support and advocating for women. Within healthcare, this can be through bringing awareness to the gender disparities in the workplace such as leadership gaps, bias in research and discrimination. So, we must see how we can practically be an ally for women of all backgrounds within the industry, the home and all backgrounds. Being an ally isn’t just about being aware of these challenges—it’s about actively supporting women in meaningful ways.

So, what can you do to be a better ally?

1.        Educate Yourself

To be a good ally, read about the contributions of women in medicine (or any other field), and the barriers that they may face. Not only that, follow and amplify the voices of female medical professionals, especially those from minority backgrounds. Make it a point to recognise the biases in medical education and clinical practice, as well as your own biases. 

Why not try this: read a book by a female author in your field or follow a female thought leader on social media today.

2.        Speak up and challenge bias!

Once you educate yourself on these biases, call them out! It is so important to be an advocate for women in the workplace – this can be done by calling out microaggressions and gender bias in conversations and decision-making. Let them know that their contributions are acknowledged, and they are heard. 

Try this today: In your next meeting or group discussion, be mindful of whose voices are being heard, and make space for women to contribute.

3.        Support and mentorship

If you know a woman who aspires to be in your position, perhaps from an underrepresented background, offer your support and mentorship to them. A great example is the Akaya Foundation which offers mentorship to young ladies in Ghana, and is now opening in the UK, encouraging wellness and leadership. Also, show your support by acknowledging and celebrating women’s success publicly!

Try this today: Reach out to a woman in your field and offer encouragement or practical advice.

4.        Be Intentional about inclusion

Advocate for diverse panels, speakers and leadership in conferences and in the workplace. For example, if you’re organising an event or discussion, make sure women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, are included as speakers.  This can also be done by pushing for family-friendly policies like flexible working hours and parental leave, this will recognise and support the additional caregiving burdens many women face. 

Try this today: If you notice a female colleague struggling with balancing work and life, offer support—whether that’s sharing resources or simply listening.

5.        Beyond Women’s History Month

I encourage you to commit yourself to a lifelong learning and allyship. Keep advocating for change in policies, pay equity and representation.

Check in on the women in your life; your friends, sisters, mothers, and partners. Ask how you can support them in their goals and challenges.

Allyship requires action, not just words. 

Try this today: Choose one tangible step from this blog and put it into practice. Let us know in the comments—what action will you take to support women today?