Our theme tonight is Stronger Together; stronger for her, for all, together. It’s more than simply a theme; it’s a call to recognise the remarkable talent in this room, and the responsibility we share in shaping the future of Science & Technology.

A recent Gender Compass report tells us the real work is with the ‘moveable middle’, representing 65% of the population. This group is made up of 4 different mindsets. The first, at 24% equality matters to the ‘Hopeful’, but their advocacy is less insistent and less urgent. The ‘Conflicted’ at 12%, recognise gender equality is important but don’t prioritise action, as they believe society is already close to achieving it. Interestingly while the ‘Moderate’ at 23%, have personally experienced negative impacts of inequality, fairness & equality are not central values. Instead, they emphasise personal freedom, safety, security, and caring for others. The ‘Indifferent’ at 6%, make up the smallest portion of the movable middle, as the title suggests, they have largely neutral or uncertain feelings on gender equity. So who makes up the other 35%? The ‘Trailblazers’ make up 19% of the population and the ‘Rejectors’ 17%. These statistics remind us to stay alert to the realities in our homes and workplaces as we move forward. And while the ‘Rejectors’ believe gender equality has already gone too far in favour of women, they do remain open to influence.

Tonight, surrounded by the trailblazers, we have the chance to shift the movable middle – that is where our real focus needs to be. Our lived experiences are varied but we carry similar stories. As young girls, many of us were told to pipe down to ‘not get too big for your boots’. That our voices were too loud, too bossy. Maybe by 16, our science or maths homework mattered less than helping in the kitchen. By thirty, we were juggling far too much at home and being over-looked at work. For boys, the story was different but just as limiting. ‘Toughen up, don’t cry’, ‘Don’t be such a woos’ they’d say. By thirty, promotions came quickly, but bonding with their baby at home or being the husband they wanted to be, felt out of reach. A strain.

These stories aren’t just ours – they are our children’s, our friends’, our colleagues.

Many in the room refused to give in to those pressures. You stood your ground. If the world didn’t have a place for you, you made one. That’s what trailblazers do, not just for themselves, but for those who follow. We are the trailblazers of our generations.

Our collective progress is what the future of Science & Tech will be built on – by us – backing each other, pushing boundaries, and leaving no one behind. At WiT this is why we’ve established the Male Allies Committee this year. For collective progress. We are stronger for her, for all, together.

The world is shifting, and at times it feels like we are going backwards. Global conversations on diversity and gender equity are difficult to ignore. They are being challenged daily, from politics to the media. Reminding us that progress is never guaranteed.

What it means to be a man or a woman is changing in our schools, workplaces, and homes. It’s a shared challenge, and an opportunity, one where we must be the voices that keep asking; Why are our parental leave policies limited in supporting both parents to stay home for the vital yrs of newborns?

Why are promotion & pay rise conversations always about the person most apt at tooting their own horn and not consistently based on merit? And, Why is it that our female parents are seen less than – when they priorities school pick up, and we give our male colleagues a pat on the back for staying back in the office until late at night? Both are just as stressed!

We can look to other countries for solutions or to draw inspiration. Strong pay transparency laws and cultural norms exist in Norway and Sweden, with Austria leading the charge worldwide, there 86% of job postings include salary information, setting the global benchmark.

Finland leads the charge on best parental leave. Both parents access 32 weeks paid leave each, no need to divide that time between them, single parents access what would be both parent’s paid leave, and entitlements include non-biological parents too. Not only do we need policies like these sooner, but we also need organisations removing cultural barriers for both parents to take leave allowances.

Nordic nations also lead in women’s political participation and having multiple women in top executive roles. And although this sounds great, when we take a look under the hood, there is significant women’s leadership in education and healthcare globally, but it’s a slow to change in institutions and firms that are re-shaping society. HolonIQ 2023 State of Women’s Leadership report listing 15% women CEOs in Health Ed Tech and a dismal 2% IT CEOs globally.

It’s a belief system, a societal and organisational system we need to crack. Not a one problem one solution challenge and voices matter. We know that taking small steps forward is what helps us progress, sometimes big things like a COVID can also launch us forward, but I want us to focus on is our sphere of control. On the conversations we can have… so I wanted to make this message simple.

Moving the middle is about flexible work that lets men spend more time at home to share the load and enjoy their kids, alongside fair pay with rewarding careers that give women the freedom to choose their own path. Moving the middle is when men are encouraged just as much as women to pursue careers in teaching and nursing, as women to pursue careers in science and technology. At home, at school, at work.

It’s time for men to notice and to know they can speak up, for women to feel safe in any career, and respect to guide us all. Together, we can build a world where everyone feels safe and supported. Stronger for her. for All. together

Tonight, you will use your voices to cheer on, some of the most inspiring women among us, shaping the future in extraordinary ways.

Recognition matters not just for them, but for all of us. To recognise the change-makers, redefining tomorrow’s limits, and to create space for others to rise.

As a not-for-profit, WiT continues to rely on your support, as a community, that; sponsors, partners and advocates to continue this important work.

Together, we can amplify underrepresented voices and create a truly inclusive future. It’s in our collective interests. For the people that we love and the people they love.

Because we are stronger for her, for all, together.

Thank you

Iyari Cevallos

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