The Role of Men in Championing Gender Equality
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International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March as a global movement toward a gender-equal world, free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Sponsored by the UN since 1975, IWD highlights the need for meaningful action to drive progress.
For 2025, the theme #AccelerateAction calls for urgent and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. At the current rate of progress, full gender parity won’t be reached until 2158—a staggering five generations from now—according to the World Economic Forum. This stark reality underscores the importance of removing systemic barriers and biases that women continue to face, both in personal and professional spheres.
Achieving true equality requires collective effort, and men play a crucial role in driving change. In this Q&A, Jordan IsmailandCharles Hinks share their thoughts on why male allies must actively speak up, challenge biases, and support women in the legal profession and beyond.
Q&A with Jordan Ismail & Charles Hinks:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the legal field, and how you’ve seen gender dynamics change throughout your career?
Jordan: I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was in my early teens. I’m still quite early in my career but I have definitely seen some change in dynamic in my few years in the industry with the increase in remote, hybrid and flexible working across many law firms that has a real positive impact on people with families. Even today, women carry out a disproportionate amount of childcare responsibilities (two-thirds of women say childcare has hindered their career progression) and increased flexible working should help alleviate some of this.
Charles: My career into the legal field has only really just started with only two and a half years of legal experience. However, I have noticed there are certainly more women than men predominantly in the firms I have worked at and I have worked under female management in both my roles. I see this as nothing but a great step in the right direction for equality.
How can men in the legal industry be better allies in supporting women’s growth and success in the workplace?
Jordan: I think it’s incredibly important for men to be aware of what our female colleagues could be facing in the workplace and take steps to help where they can. From menopause to maternity, male (and female) colleagues should be actively supporting female colleagues to progress their careers and be the best version of themselves in their work, whether that is through calling out unfair practices or, as a manager, taking steps to adjust workplace practices to suit an individual’s circumstance.
Charles: From my personal experiences, I’ve witnessed significant progress in how firms support women’s growth and success, with more women being promoted to senior positions. I hope to see this positive trend continue.
What steps do you think organisations should take to ensure that gender equality becomes a core value, not just a policy?
Jordan:
- Ensure women returning to work after maternity leave are supported and that their career progression is not hindered by their absence;
- Ensure the entire workforce is trained on diversity and inclusion as well as more difficult subjects like harassment and domestic violence;
- Ensure managers and employees are trained on menopause awareness;
- Promote an open culture where employees are comfortable to raise concerns
Charles: By promoting events such as International Women’s day, showing a true dedication to making the workplace better as opposed to just making it headline or a tick box exercise.
Given that #AccelerateAction is this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, what do you think men can do to actively contribute to accelerating gender equality both in and out of the workplace?
Jordan:
- Checking ourselves for unconscious bias and old-fashioned stereotypes;
- Being aware, alive and empathetic to the common issues that women still face in the workplace and wider world;
- Being a support for all women in our life, whether they be family, friends or colleagues
Charles: Actively participate in events such as IWD, actively show appreciation to female members of staff to ensure they get the recognition they deserve and be better educated to make no sexist or gender referenced remarks.
