On walking with women.

We celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024. I was invited by Cathryn Neo, FCIArb FSIArb of the Law Society Women in Practice Committee, and my friend Yue-En Chong TEP, to share some thoughts.

The invitation suggested that I refer to myself as a male ally.

Frankly, I don't think I'm in a position to do so.

After all, allies are supposed to support one another, and not create fresh problems for each other. Just ask my spouse about the problems I cause on a daily basis.¹

And I'm a middled-aged Chinese man in Singapore. What do I know about the challenges that my female colleagues and compatriots face on a daily basis? Isn't it kind of arrogant to think that I can speak meaningfully about their struggles?

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But just because I'm inadequate, doesn't mean that the cause doesn't matter.

And it does matter to me personally.

I'm married to a wonderful woman whose love and support I can't do without, and I want my daughter to grow up in a supportive environment that she can thrive in.

And perhaps I (and my fellow men) can better support the cause by talking less, and listening more.

So here's my question for my female friends and colleagues on LinkedIn,² past and present, listed below in no particular order³:

What can we men do as male allies to support you?

You tell us.

Over to you, Petrina Wee, Diana Chang, Sara Ng, Charis Wong, Ju Er Wong, Rebecca Soh, Shirin Tan, Amanda Ng, Clarice T., Rochelle Lim, Sharmila Jit Chandran, Huiyi Lee, Yuan Jing Lim, Alina Chia, Josephine Chee, Evelyn Chua, Marissa Zhao Yunan, Yvette Tay, Stephania Wong, Doreen Chia Ming Yee, Minjoo Yoon, Kristin Ng, Andrea Tan, Penelope Loh, Mui Hui Tan, Tracy-Anne Ang, Xin Mei Lee, Li Ming Yip, Alexandra Geiger, Itishree Tyagi, Kala Anandarajah, BBM, Qinghui Luo, Sheila Ng, Sara Sim, Tian Hui Tan, Tanya Tang, Ying Shuang Wang, Regana Zara Mydin, and the many more folks listed in the comments.⁴

Also tagging Priscilla Soh, Dodo Lim, Natalee Ho, Lim Jia Yi Edina, Victoria Tan, Rachel Leong, Ashley Loh, Alicia Lim, Bernice T., Mazie Tan, Yirong Zheng, Lee Fong Chia 谢依蓉, Wei Tian Juay, Gladys Tan, Cherrin Wong, Lifen Ho, Karen Wong, Jolie Giouw, Chun Ying Ng, Huiqing Tan, Hui Ling Teo, Alice Ho, Kate Lan, Priscilla Lua, Sharon Chong, Aziah Hussin, NATALIE LAM, Elizabeth Wu 邬智清, Rui Shan Chang, Marie R, Foo Alison, Huiying Lin, Jaime Lee, Jasmin Kaur, Chloe Lee, Shauna Loo, Yen Fang Ng, Jean Tan, Venetia Tan, Wei Shan Teo, Jackie Thia, Nadia Y., Yos Pang, Serene Chew, Sue-Ann Phay, Michelle C., Yan Zhen T., Istyana Ibrahim, Kristine Koh, Christine Ong, Bee Kee Loh, Sadhana Rai, Vanathi Ray, Karen Chow, Angie Tan, Tracy Wong, Evelyn Ch'ng, Ju Lien Ooi, Han Li Meng, Savada Prom, Jing Jing Huang, Hannah Lim, Joanna Chew (周俐莹), MCIArb, Victoria H., Sim Khadijah Binte Mohammed, Tania Chin, Shumin Lin, Grace Tan, and Yvette Anthony. Thank you in advance for letting me disturb you.

I'm all ears.