Over time, the optical industry has set a positive precedent for a healthcare profession with female representation at 61.5%, based on memberships of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).
Debbie McGill, head of policy and public affairs at ABDO, said the provision of education around EDI has had a key impact, and during her last 19 years in the industry significant efforts have been made to be more inclusive of women. She adds: ‘This has resulted in most employers now offering more flexible working options and equal pay, making the roles of optometrists and dispensing opticians more appealing to women. This is evident in the makeup of the profession, as well as through the greater representation of women in director roles on the professional and representative bodies.
‘That said, I believe there is still more to be done on EDI to provide balance overall by way of raising awareness, promoting best practice to leaders within the profession and implementing non-tolerance policies in practices to manage patients that behave in a discriminatory way.’
ABDO recently announced two new management programmes aiming to provide advanced training in change and conflict management in the workplace, in response to feedback from other courses. This will include types of conflict, causes, processes for investigating workplace situations and a better understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to manage conflict effectively.
The association’s senior leadership consists of five women and four men on the board of directors, six regional leads, equally split between men and women, and local leads of 39 women and 20 men.
Carolyn Ruston, policy director at the Association of Optometrists (AOP), said: ‘Championing diversity is a core focus for the AOP. In 2022, we’re ramping up activity in this area to work with others to create inclusive practice environments. This includes tackling racism in the workplace – especially for women of colour who work with extra risk – and highlighting the inequality gaps, as well as supporting members with our resources and employment law team.
‘Making sure we take visible positive steps to progress gender equality is so important to how women are viewed and how we view ourselves through lived experience. This is not just true of gender bias, tackling inequality on all fronts and achieving diversity is vital for a successful equitable workforce.’
Ruston emphasised that in her experience structures and rules have unfairly disadvantaged women more than bias. ‘Things like flexible working and shared paternal leave help to support women in their careers. There are some real opportunities to take the lessons we have learned through the Covid-19 pandemic to accelerate gender parity and support women to thrive at work,’ she explains.
Recent recognition of female achievements in the industry, the need for continued workplace training and encouragement of STEM careers has been shown through awards and associations’ efforts. Dr Patricia Era Bath, inventor of the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, was inducted into the US National Hall of Fame last year, and Michelle Beach demonstrated leadership and expertise as founder and optometrist director of Nottingham-based eye clinic Park Vision, winner of the 2021 Independent Practice of the Year at the Optician Awards.
Debbie McGill calls to #BreakTheBias
As part of International Women’s Day 2022, Women in Vision – a network aiming to support female practitioners and promote awareness of career paths – held an online webinar to commemorate women in healthcare, discussing advice on overcoming gender barriers, bias, discrimination and stereotyping in the industry, as well as encouraging more women to go into senior roles.
In addition, ahead of its 2022 show UK event organisers 100% Optical showed its support for empowering female practitioners through speakers’ comments. Flora McLean, senior tutor in fashion footwear accessories millinery and eyewear fashion at Royal College of Art, advised future professionals to show their presence, be brave and be themselves. She said that it is better to support other females than compete.
Sheena Taff, owner of US family-run independent Roberts & Brown Opticians, added: ‘The optical industry has offered me mentorship from brilliant women who have shared their experiences and knowledge, which in turn inspires me to share the joys of our profession. International Women’s Day means celebrating all the accomplishments and stature of women across the optical industry and around the globe. Making women feel confident and empowered in their eyewear is my mission everyday as an optician.’