Modern Woman. Leader, Partner, Mother

Women in Poland enjoy full access to education and work, manage their own property, hold full voting rights, won barely 100 years ago. Gender equality seemingly achieved in 2022. Why then, despite years of gender equality debate – in business and family – do Polish women still yield and adapt? Why disbelieve themselves
and deprioritise professional dreams and ambitions, though better educated at 60% of university graduates, more empathetic and much better managing – confirmed by numerous studies. These and many issues were discussed at the Helping Hand conference "Modern woman: leader, partner, mother".

Modern women combine many roles – leaders, partners, mothers among others. And while the same role set fits men, women face more challenges in each field plus inequalities. Per the 2022 World Economic Forum report, at current pace gender equality takes another 132 years. All speakers at the Helping Hand psychological support platform conference agreed accelerating change needs engaged parents, partners and employers, openness, mutual support, solidarity.

– Creating this conference, we said we add a brick to gender equality, but today we know we achieved more. Hopefully our initiated debate will not fade – provoking changes, because today not only systemic, legal solutions should create equality standards. Corporations, bigger and smaller companies influence building women's self-esteem, supporting mothers during and after maternity leave, promoting diversity and female leadership… And while women increasingly succeed at work, reaching higher career levels, they still face many external difficulties. Female leadership based on cooperation, openness, mutual support, seeking and breaking fixed patterns – companies employing more women managers achieve better financial results. Undoubtedly we are well prepared, competent for important roles – we just must believe it and get a helping hand. Our conference appeals to all organisations – give more chances and understanding to all women – said Aleksandra Tokarewicz, conference organiser, Board Member of the Helping Hand psychological support platform.

Globally women care for children twice as often, devoting four times more to housework (International Monetary Fund data). In the EU alone 25% of women cite care work for labour market absence – versus 3% of men. Institute for Fiscal Studies research shows the pay gap grows to 33% within 12 years of childbirth, meaning women's career and pay stagnation. Meanwhile, professionally developing women still often face gender or age discrimination. Ageism hits experienced women past "fifty" and career-starting girls fresh from studies alike. "Queen bees" and "dragon ladies" – female bosses diminishing other team women, usually younger and more attractive, often favouring men – do not help either. Unfortunately women often block their own careers, experiencing imposter syndrome – disbelieving competences and qualifications, thinking successes accidental.

Imposter syndrome inextricably links with low self-esteem. How we think of ourselves hugely impacts professional growth and relationship building – with surroundings, loved ones and ourselves. And while ideals do not exist, women tend to diminish skills, notoriously criticising what is insufficiently good. Perfectionists, they often dwell in guilt. Devoted to work, they see themselves as degenerate mothers and selfish partners; choosing full-time childcare, they blame lack of ambition; earning more than partners, they fear his bad mood and loved ones' misunderstanding; being too polite, they attribute "no character", loudly objecting – fearing rudeness. Unless women decide to simply be themselves, trusting and boldly executing their own decisions, they remain stuck in this "vicious dissatisfaction circle".

Experts agree no human acts in a vacuum – surroundings influence how we feel and think of ourselves, privately and professionally. Outside support is needed, but revolution best starts – as usual – with yourself. Solutions abound – from raising girls in sisterhood spirit into confident – not always polite, dutiful – women, through unbiased partnership relationships motivating change, to professional activity where quotas, development opportunities – even at high levels – and pay equality are standard.

Just some of many topics at the "Modern woman: leader, partner, mother" conference, originated and organised by the Helping Hand psychological support platform. Twenty known, inspiring, experienced experts joined: psychologists, doctors, businesswomen, journalists, psychotherapists. Some permanently cooperate with Helping Hand, sharing knowledge with platform users daily.

Event Partners included: Entrepreneurial Women Network, KRUK International Group, ALAB laboratories, ABSL, Polish Marketing Association, Elevato.

Media patrons: Forbes Women, Wysokie Obcasy, ICAN Institute, Woman's Health.

Full event photo gallery at the conference website:
https://events.hh24.pl/wspolczesna-kobieta/galeria.html