Be a feminist: let it go!

The speeches from our opinion leaders on the subject of male/female equality are worthy encouragements that are as positive as they are necessary as we follow the path to equality.

As the manager of a company, the speeches given by Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Meyer and fellow sisters appear to me to be clear and inspiring on this subject: develop female leadership, create opportunities, stop limiting ourselves…

As a woman in society, I can just as easily relate to the HeforShe project led by the United Nations based on the practical realisation that nothing will happen if men themselves do not facilitate female integration within organisations.

But when I look back on my experience as a manager, when I discuss things with my current colleagues, the problems raised on a daily basis by women on the subject of male/female equality remain very down to earth: managing parenthood, household chores, organisation inside the home… not as glamorous but tremendously realistic!

Crash!! This is the moment when the subject becomes horribly less interesting than the one about that bloody glass ceiling, than the one about Hollywood actresses’ salaries or even the one about the gynophobic insults in public places…

And yet, with a total of 3 hours of household chores and parenting per day, and the constant fear of the “glitch” that will throw off the fragile established order of the week, there are quite a number of minutes, and of corresponding peace of mind, to win back in order to match your male colleagues, ladies!

Because we can always talk about how you have to aggressive when it comes to seeking a promotion, but when it’s the third time that you have had to skip work because your kid has the mumps, or when you spend your Sunday evening pasting shared diaries instead of mentally preparing for your interview with the boss planned for the next day…

“Ah, but you’re the one who wanted it?! If you just let go of the perfect mother fantasy that the entire organisation of the house/ the holidays/ the dinner depends on you….. you’ll see that things will get a little bit easier…”

Don’t tell me that you have never heard that little condescending remark: it’s a real stone thrown through the window of the überconscientious female!!

So, the time has come to take those who coined that little comment at their word, and there’s no time like the present!!! Choose three tasks that you organise/accomplish for your community (your team, your family, your roommate, your kibbutz…), and as quickly as you can, pass them onto the first person who will do the job as well as you (and yes, that’s the hard truth!)

We’ve been told often enough to “Let it go”! Well, we’re about to do it!