On International Women’s Day we asked our kaimahi to reflect on how we can ‘Break the bias’ within healthcare and in our own lives.
The women described a host of encounters with bias in their personal and professional lives and recommended tactics for breaking the bias for themselves and the women around them. This included finding agency in the face of situations that seemed unbridgeable, asking questions and challenging the status quo.
Wendy Stanbrook-Mason, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer was reminded of her mother who married at a time when New Zealand was a very traditional ‘man’s world.’ “Although dad made the decisions, mum always found a way to influence them,” says Wendy. “She turned her hand to everything and could make food for four turn into food for eight.”
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Wendy uses the same resourcefulness to tackle bias in her own life. Through being a nurse, Wendy was able to step into leadership roles that were not always open in other spheres of life – including working overseas during a coup!
These days, Wendy and her husband have turned the tables on gender norms when he left his career to support her in her current role. “We have flipped gender roles upside down. I go to work, and he looks after the household,” Wendy explains.
Dr Heidi Baker, Emergency Specialist Adult and Paediatrics was also inspired by her mother’s history. Having seen her mother not allowed to attend university because of her gender, Heidi was determined to chase her dreams and become a doctor.
"Part time work was taboo when I began specialist training. In fact, having children during training was almost unheard of. When I returned to work following the birth of our son it was suggested I shouldn't sit exams with a small baby. I am pleased that this dialogue has changed somewhat now. Men and women are encouraged to work part time if it suits their personal or family situation."
As a doctor who devotes their time to caring for others, perhaps it comes as no surprise that Heidi wants to break the bias for all women. “I’ve always wanted to pave my own way,” she says. “But also, I’ve wanted to smooth the path for those coming along behind.”
For Gurvinder Benipal, Nurse Unit Manager in Haematology, asking questions is key to bias breaking. Gurvinder grew up in India and recalls questioning gender bias at the age of six. Gurvinder’s father died, leaving her mum to look after three little girls. People would say to her mother, ‘God should have given you a son.’ Gurvinder recalls the big questions this raised for her. “When you are six, you wonder why. I wondered how it would have helped my mum to have a son.”
Breaking gender bias takes sustained mahi. “These are big centuries old issues, says Gurvinder. We need to stand up and keep fighting. Because we can do it!”
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