The Handmaid's Tale Doesn't Feel Like a Tale Anymore

It's been a monumental couple of weeks for women.

And I'm angry about it.

If I look at the things I've been doing in the last few weeks though, it would appear to be a different story. I've participated in the first-ever episode of Nestlé's Women in Supply Chain Talks (which will be shared internally with their entire organisation). I've moderated two fantastic sessions on diversity at Global Trade Week (in partnership with The Economist Impact). And I've been listed in The 10 Most Empowering Businesswomen Leading Through The Change, 2022. With all that, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many inspiring change-makers doing great work.

All these are incredibly exciting opportunities that I'm very grateful for. I feel so inspired by the initiatives around me, the conversations people are having and the uplifting events that I've been attending. It's genuinely heartwarming to see so many positive discussions happening around diversity right now. And not just from minority groups either. People from all walks of life (both men and women) are championing female leaders, asking 'how can we do better?' and pledging their commitment to a more inclusive, fair and representative supply chain industry.

It almost feels like this is a turning point...

But at the same time, a country that I grew up in, where most of my friends live and that supposedly is the 'land of the free' is shattering women's rights. I feel equally disgusted as I do helpless.

I was born the year that the Roe v Wade decision came about. I am of the generation that has only ever known that level of freedom and choice. To go back to a generation before mine feels not just like a slap in the face, but a hit at the very core of freedom. This is an assault on women. This is a violation of human autonomy. This is a stripping of our rights.

The Handmaid’s Tale doesn’t feel like a tale anymore.

I feel helpless. But I also feel angry. I feel like we need to do more. I feel like we need to speak up. As a woman past childbearing years, who emigrated from the US in the mid-90s to settle abroad, this doesn't directly impact me. But it affects my friends, my networks and my community. It affects women.

So it affects us all.

I know I can't reverse this decision. But what I can do... what WE all can do, is continue to champion women and further their rights in a business and corporate space. Yes, the world is on fire and women's rights are being eroded. But what can we each do in our own micro spaces to help? That’s what I’m asking myself.

I'm so grateful to have a network full of world leaders in supply chain, global business execs and world-leading academics. With those titles, comes great responsibility and a platform like no other. Now, my friends, is the time to use it!

Women have to continue to support women. Men have to continue to support women. Everyone has to continue to support women. It’s on ALL of us. So speak up and use your voice 📢📢📢

Employers, are you creating safe spaces for women to fail? Are you creating safe spaces for women to be able to execute new ideas? Are you creating safe spaces for women to be heard? Do you have female voices in the boardroom? Are your talent attractions initiatives inclusive enough? What schemes do you have to support mothers and female caregivers? Do you facilitate flexible working and provide childcare support to your team? Are you creating space for women to represent your organisation on global stages? Are you putting women forward for senior leadership positions?

Podcast hosts, community builders, content creators… are you amplifying female leaders across your marketing and PR? Are you using your platform to showcase female stories of empowerment? Are you highlighting female success stories within your organisation? Are you using your voice to continue to bang the drum for more representation? Are you speaking up on issues that affect women? Are you educating your communities on the inequalities and injustices women face in the workplace? Are you putting a spotlight on female leaders and providing enough female role models for others to look to?

In a world that is silencing and erasing women from all angles, it’s our job to provide real, tangible examples of female success. Because representation now matters more than ever!

As a Latin American woman, a US-born native, an immigrant to the UK and someone who couldn’t name one female business role model growing up, I will use my voice to be heard.

Women like me aren’t going anywhere. We’re going to shout louder, we’re going to make more noise to be seen and we’re going to amplify the visibility of great women doing great work. Because right now the world needs it. And the more noise we make, the more change we drive.

I don’t have all the answers.

But I have a fire lit inside of me to do something… anything to make an impact in the spaces and communities that I operate in. I will continue to make noise, be present and tell my story.

I implore you to do the same.

(Image source: The Atlantic)