Equality starts with the details.
… Events can create enough space for everyone
Equality isn’t a special topic; it’s a central component of a just society. The United Nations’ fifth goal focuses primarily on the equal participation of women in social, political, and economic life. But what exactly does this mean for the events industry?
In fact, equality can be implemented in many different ways. Events offer a good opportunity not only to promote equality but also to implement it in a practical way and make it visible.
One approach is to ensure gender balance right from the start when assembling teams. While women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the technical areas of the event industry, the event management field itself is often female-dominated. This also demonstrates that gender equality means not only empowering women but also making men visible where they are less represented. It’s about true balance and diversity at all levels – regardless of gender.
In addition, employee-oriented structures, such as flexible working hours for people with care responsibilities or for expectant mothers, can help better integrate and address diverse life realities. However, clear equality criteria must also be formulated in job advertisements or project staffing – as part of a more inclusive corporate strategy.
Finally, the language used in invitations, on stages, or in the programs is also a factor. The decision to use gender-sensitive language alone is perceived as the first sign of inclusion. But equal access to sanitary facilities should also be considered: through barrier-free restrooms, safe hygiene areas for all genders, and, for example, the free provision of menstrual products, where possible, which female event participants will certainly highly appreciate.
