How do you break gender bias in this day and age?

First off: What is gender bias? This may sound like mansplaining but we need to get our terms straightened out. Gender bias is the tendency to choose one gender over the other. It’s when you think that certain professions are only for a specific gender, like thinking that only men can be engineers, or only women can be nurses. That’s nonsense, of course, but gender bias is unfortunately alive and well, even in the 21st century.

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Nening

Cleo Nening, who works at the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc., feels fortunate to be working in an office that advocates for a diverse and inclusive workplace but she acknowledges that many women still face gender bias in the workplace today. “It is unfortunate and disappointing. There should be no reason why a woman cannot work in a position that a man would stereotypically have been in,” she said.

Nening said that NMPASI, an organization that protects the civil, legal, and human rights of people with disabilities, respect diversity in the workplace.

“We have a board of directors that is diversified, members are composed of women, men and people from different ethnicities, and different disabilities. Two, we are financially transparent as the entire staff is given a chance to review the budget and are aware of everyone’s salaries. Three, NMPASI encourages cross-training so that if someone is out sick, the next person is able to pick where they left off for continuity, and lastly, NMPASI encourages professional development where each staff is encouraged to take classes from the Northern Marianas College,” she added.

Nening said there should be more companies like NMPASI, an organization that not only exists to advocate for an inclusive community, but provides an inclusive environment for their employees.

“As individuals, we all come from different walks of life, with both men and women holding roles of being advocates, executive directors, legal counsels and more. We’ve always had level-headed leaders who look past these stereotypical factors like gender biases, race, and disabilities. This practice passes down generationally to each successor and has resulted in this conducive and productive workplace.

“Breaking down barriers of discrimination for individuals with disabilities is what our office aims to accomplish for clients who qualify for support. Fostering support for proper services to be offered and assisting our clients to advocate for themselves is what we do. No gender bias has ever gotten in the way of this core mission. In our small office of 10, six of us are females in various administrative, fiscal, and advocacy roles. With this notion at the forefront of our minds, we continue to advocate for an inclusive and diverse workplace for all,” she added.

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McDoulett

Rhea McDoulett, who co-owns the scuba dive shop Green Flash in Chinatown, admits that SCUBA sport and services are male dominated.

“There is a significant bias in the industry against women technicians. I have to drive myself to be more knowledgeable and competent than men in order to gain and keep their business. I have to continue my education all the time to be competitive in every aspect of the industry. Even then, I am constantly confronted with men thinking they know more than I do,” she said.

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Cecilia Yniguez, an IT data professional from Houston, Texas, said that women should have confidence, know, and assert their strengths. “I say ‘just do it’ and pay no regards to gender stereotypes and do what you enjoy and excel at. Even if you don’t excel at it, find a champion or a mentor who can help you through the rougher spots.”

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McKagan

For someone who has worked in the hotel industry, is a successful triathlete, and currently an employee of the Japan consular office in the CNMI, Kimiko McKagan has never experienced gender bias both in the workplace and sports. “I do not recall being in a situation where there was gender bias. I just know I do my very best in everything without feeling limited by anyone,” she said.

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Cabrera

Sonia Cabrera, retired business woman said that she was in the work force starting in the 50’s and mid-2000 and encountered many different types of gender bias. “Although I was in an environment that was male dominated—working for the government and eventually having a school for seafarers—nothing happened to me personally. But I always tell my daughters and granddaughters to be alert and stand their ground if they experience it,” she said. “For women, it is best to get educated because knowledge is power and it is uniquely yours. Be confident because you are wonderfully made, whatever your background is and do not be reactive. Women sometimes walk in emotions and it’s tough but you have to be tougher because you are in that situation because you are meant to be there. Do not let other people tell you otherwise.”