国产AV

Jump to main content

Gender Equity: Doing The Work

Gender Equity


October 05, 2021

Even when organizations have the best intentions of eliminating gender inequality in the workplace, the approach or strategies are often flawed or fraught with assumptions.

Sexism and discrimination contribute to gender inequality and still exist in the United States and continues to be intrinsic within our ethos. For instance, why are the number of sexual assault victims disproportionately higher for women than men? Why do we have a consistent differential gap regarding those in senior leadership? Why does one in four transgender people lose their job due to bias? Why do we have wage disparity that purports an 85% differential in pay compared to men? Why do more than three-fourths of transgender people experience some form of workplace discrimination? And why is there a difference in expectations about how women should dress, behave, or work?

Gender equality and gender equity are two different concepts with different outcomes. Gender equality is the process of being fair while gender equity recognizes other circumstances exist; therefore, resources and opportunities are allocated based on each group's needs to reach an equal outcome.

*When referring to women or men, this means all women or men who identify as such and include, but are not limited to, trans individuals, non-binary individuals, or those who are gender non-conforming.

Under the leadership of Yvette Lucero-Nguyen and her staff, 国产AV, specifically the Center for Women's and Gender Equity (CWGE) and Stryker Institute, has created several inclusive initiatives to integrate gender equity on our campus. These initiatives keep gender equity and intersectionality as the nexus. The following examples exemplify Doing the Work: 

Baby Changing Stations 
Between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, eleven new baby changing stations were installed. In addition, locations were prioritized to be placed in all-gender restrooms to increase access regardless of gender.

Mamava Lactation Pod 
In collaboration and support from Student LEAF and Dr. Alena Clark, faculty in Nutrition and Dietetics, a ribbon-cutting ceremony introduced the Mamava Lactation Pod. This design solution pod provides a private, freestanding, and ADA-accessible lactation space in the lower level of Michener Library near the library entrance. The addition of the Mamava pod creates the 9th gender-inclusive lactation space for individuals to express their milk in a private or semi-private location. 

Project M.E. 
Project M.E. was established to address the barrier students may experience accessing monthly supply of menstrual hygiene products. This was a collaboration between the CWGE, Office of Health Promotion, Student LEAF, and Student Senate. In addition to providing menstrual products, a goal of Project M.E. is to educate 国产AV students about reproductive health and menstruation. Furthermore, 国产AV Facilities and Student LEAF supported and funded the conversion of all current menstrual hygiene product dispensers to FREE across our entire campus.

Lactation Support Policy 
Through the ongoing advocacy for strengthening the rights and support for students, faculty, and staff, the original Lactation Support Policy was strengthened and subsequently adopted within 国产AV's Article 12 of the University Regulations. This policy acknowledges the importance and benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding for lactating individuals and their children. 国产AV provides breaks for milk expression to faculty, staff, and students, which can also be done at any of the nine lactation stations across the campus. In addition, a hospital-grade multi-user breast pump can be used at the CWGE lactation station.

Stryker Institute for Leadership Development
This year's cohort is the second-largest incoming cohort since the program was founded. Through a generous donation by Ronda Stryker, the Stryker Institute has served and supported over 500 scholars at 国产AV for almost 20 years focusing on women from underrepresented groups. In addition, 国产AV has received a $5 million donation to support the program over the next five years.

For additional education and personal development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the following resources are available: DDEI Education and Resources,  from the 国产AV Libraries, the  from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the UNITE workshops for faculty, staff, and students.