BDO proud to empower gender equality; says no to gender bias

Sneak peak at history

The world is round. It’s a huge globe. But its resources have not been equally distributed. Likewise, one cannot imagine a gender-equal world. Why? Very simply because there have never been equal opportunities for the fairer gender. One cannot even picture a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination or a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. In short, a world where difference is valued and celebrated. But it is a new ray of hope in the making.

The Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) was a political alignment of women and feminist intellectualism that emerged in the late 1960s and continued into the 1980s primarily in the industrialised nations of the Western world, which effected great change (political, intellectual, cultural) throughout the world. But, if all opportunities were equally distributed, will there arise a need to form such a front and worse, for it to grow stronger every day?

Women’s rights are championed but one comes to ponder aren’t animals’ rights also forged ahead the same way. Food for thought indeed. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all break the bias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.

Has it ever occurred to you that individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day? Then, why don’t we champion what is right for all?

Everything begins with one small step. We can break the bias in our communities by making small changes. But we must unite to break the bias – not on International Women’s Day only but beyond. Leaders must empower inclusiveness by their actions, so that the organisation can take advantage of a broad spectrum of people with different ideas, different opinions, and different perspectives. Only a strong leader also can take up the challenge of breaking the bias by moving away from the mundane routines. 

Curse of the pandemic

The pandemic is disproportionately affecting women and their careers. Strangely, we’re celebrating our third International Women’s Day amid a global pandemic. Women are adversely affected more than men because the employment of a woman can always be wiped out from a household and replaced by the man but her duties as a mother, wife and daughter will remain. Sadly, these unpaid roles are more demanding than her employment which she strives to balance and fails, sometimes. Is it only the woman who fails – no, men fail too but usually each tiny task missed or forgotten by the “woman” becomes a monumental problem in a family sometimes due to the great importance which is placed on them?

So, it’s evident that women are more important in the family circle than in a boardroom. Yet, one can’t forget the contribution women make towards the world economy. All countries boast of women to be in employment where the average ranks between 43% to 51%. Career has become a position of surviving to thriving for some women. The gender pay gap still exists: In 2021, for every dollar a man made, a woman made 82 cents. Women led the resignations in 2021 with childcare limitations and mental stress being top reasons for it.

Furthermore, having a better gender balance within any organisation is a more truthful reflection of the society we live in – and results in a better understanding of the markets we serve.

How BDO Sri Lanka breaks the bias

Diversity and inclusion are not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. It is essential for economies and communities to thrive. A challenged world is an alert world. And from challenge comes change.

At BDO we all share the same common purpose, our Why: People helping people achieve their dreams. Our motivation is to help people get where they want to be – whether they be our colleagues, our clients, or others in the communities we are part of. It is an integral part of the BDO culture - to be focused on others, to help them achieve their dreams.

The steps taken by the Management Team at BDO to break the bias is praiseworthy. Sujeewa Rajapakse, the Managing Partner of BDO Partners Sri Lanka and Maldives was awarded the BDO Medal in December 2021 by BDO Global in recognition for his tremendous contribution to the BDO network. His success was based on his great achievement at steering the partnership to great heights in the short term. One secret to the success of the Firm is his unwavering support to the “right candidate” without a gender bias. But, more importantly he says that we must emphasise the amazing resilience of our female colleagues, and how they have chosen to lead during the pandemic.

Sujeewa has boldly allowed women to lead some of the sister companies of BDO and they have been very successful. The partnership also was always a mix of genders where some years ago Sarah Afker was taken into the partnership and was the youngest partner of the Firm at that time.

What does BDO really do?

1.      Celebrate women’s achievements

2.      To influence others’ beliefs and actions

3.      Challenge gender stereotypes, discrimination, and bias

4.      Create a gender equal workplace at BDO Sri Lanka

Further establishing the tone at the top, Ashane Jayasekera, the Deputy Managing Partner of BDO Sri Lanka and Maldives firmly believes in “girl power”. He says, “The same commitment a woman has to nurture her family can be positively translated to build powerful teams. The same valour with which she braces challenges is an asset to a company.”

An empowered woman is one that can paint the world in sunsets. It’s the same empowered female leader who can guide her business, team, or group to great heights. Thus, BDO strives towards gender parity and stands firm to workplace equality. It aims to eliminate stereotypes, discrimination, and bias in every way.

The headcount of all employees is slightly tipped over with females taking the lead. The Recreation Club of BDO Partners, the welfare arm as well as the representation at the CA Students’ Society and the Gavel Clubs has always seen great contributions from BDO women. The fairer sex was always given an equal role where there are two separate Sports Secretaries – one for men and the other for women. There have never been any work allocations deprived to the females in any form.

BDO “ladies” also play a pivotal role at various committees at ICASL, at AAT, at Legal Forums and at various Toastmasters Clubs namely Sarah Afker, Iresha Soysa, Dinusha Rajapakse, Kiruthiga Kapilan and Buddhi Pathiraja.

On a different note, this year BDO would like to highlight the thoughts of their female leaders with an emphasis on their own role models.

Sarah Afker, Partner of BDO Partners who leads the Tax Division echo’s the thoughts of Malala Yousuf “When the whole world is silent even one voice becomes powerful”. On the other hand, Iresha Soysa – Managing Director of BDO Corporate Services Ltd. champions the words of another female attorney, Amal Clooney. “The worst thing that we can do as women is not stand up for each other.” Dinusha Rajapakse – Associate Director, BDO Partners has this to say quoting from the young actress Emma Watson, “Feminism is about given women a choice. It is not a stick with which to beat other women”.

Jennifer Peiris Associate Director at BDO Partners who heads the Internal Audit Division is all for Meghan Markle. “Women don’t need to find a voice – they have a voice. They need to feel empowered to use it”. Joining her, another Associate Director at BDO Partners, the iron lady leading one tedious compliance role at BDO, Nirosha Vedival had a different view. She quoted from Ruth Gansbury and said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception”. Buddhi Pathiraja (Associate Director – BDO Consulting Ltd too shared her sentiments. She quoted from Hillary Clinton to say, “Never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and truly deserving of every chance and opportunity to pursue and achieve your dreams”.

The ladies at the top have always had the best interest of the Firm while encouraging equal opportunities. The HR Team also has a large contribution in this regard.

Nadeeshani Rathnaweera who leads the HR Team at BDO had a strong take on the need to break the bias – to break down walls and defy stereotypes. “As women, we have to start appreciating our own worth and each other’s worth” – Madonna.

BDO Global

“We encourage everyone to be leaders in their own right. While we all must choose to lead, to be leaders we must also choose to challenge. I am inspired by the stories of the BDO female leaders and I am sure you will be too. They have become leaders by being themselves, by being self-aware and by doing the right thing. They recognise they have specific talents – empathy, great listening and communication skills and inclusivity – and are using them. They have challenged themselves to be bold and to do things their way, but at the same time they recognise the need to be mentors and set the example for our other women. We can all learn from their leadership, especially in times of crisis. We can all see the true value of diversity.” –Global CEO Keith Farlinger.

Globally, there is a growing momentum to increase the number of women in senior roles. This trend is reflected within BDO, with our own statistics showing that, overall, women already occupy 53% of our workforce and, across all regions, on average 52% of our client-facing staff are female. However, the statistics also show that our female population – for a variety of reasons – is still finding it hard to climb the career ladder. Just 20% of our female professionals have achieved Partner level in 2020 – a slight, but positive increase on last year. However, it will not stop us from challenging and inspiring women to achieve their ambitions.

Are you in? Will you actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping each time you see it?

Will you help break the bias? Cross your arms to show solidarity.