This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about breaking down biases and creating a gender-equal world – one that’s free of harmful stereotypes and discrimination (#BreakTheBias).

To make collective change, we all must be responsible for our own actions and, in turn, create more equitable communities, schools, and workplaces. Knowing bias exists isn’t enough; it’s time we all step up and be the change the world needs.

At The DOM, we embrace difference and promote a workplace where women’s achievements are celebrated. This IWD, we caught up with the team to chat about what breaking the bias means to them and how they’re pledging to make a difference.

Lou Ashton, Head of Marketing

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
It means putting an end to the mostly unconscious, institutionalised sexism that exists in our society. Australian culture remains persistently gender-biased. Beyond the very real and critical issues of things like domestic violence and pay gaps. For me, breaking the bias is about examining the way men and women live together in society, the relationships they form, the way they interact with each other – particularly through school years, as they are often the breeding ground for bias. The way we have been trained to think about women and men and their roles in families, communities, businesses, and friendships needs to change. To be more equal, more respectful, more open.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
Ensure my son always respects girls in the same way he does boys. That he’s confident enough to encourage his friends to do the same and call it out when it's not.

Chrissie Pan, Head of eCommerce

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
For me, breaking the bias means not conforming to the status quo or expectations placed on us by society or culturally. Enable a world that is equal for all and open to diversity.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
To call out and not walk past gender stereotypes and cultural bias.
Being open, supportive, and inclusive always.

Lauren Ahern, Senior Business Development Manager

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
It means creating a more inclusive world by challenging those that don’t celebrate difference and diversity.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
By speaking up more often when bias is happening around me or towards me. It’s worth being uncomfortable in one moment to benefit the future.

Nicolle Yu, eCommerce Manager

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
It’s being completely open-minded and resisting learned behaviors and thinking. It’s about acknowledging and looking beyond the subconscious biases we have and allowing room for open conversations, and wanting to re-educate ourselves.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
Providing an approachable, safe space for conversations that nurture evolved thinking.

Kate Joseph, Advisor

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
Be self-aware enough to notice when my or others' bias is in play and do something about it.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
Lead by empowering and encouraging people in my workplaces – no matter their gender, age, race, identity, life status, religion, mental health – to be their best. Further, I would like to break the bias that working women lose their potency and relevance with age. The reality is with the right mindset, we get better. For me, this means being more curious, brave, true, open, and living by my values (what’s good) and principles (what’s right). Where there is workplace alignment with the values and principles, any bias doesn’t stand a chance!

Tamara Oei, Marketing Executive

What does ‘breaking the bias’ mean to you?
To not only be conscious about how evident the inequalities are that exist in our culture and society, but also to be proactive in creating a more just environment in the workplace and social sphere.

What’s one way you pledge to break the bias this year and beyond?
To be supportive of those around me and empower them regardless of any differences whether that’s gender, age, race, or any other distinction that makes us who we are. To also encourage myself to be confident in my own skin and actively open-minded in any conversation.

To find out what you can do to help break the bias – this IWD and beyond – read more here.