Women of Aalto - Being part of a student association

My Story

As a man, joining the Women of Aalto Association as the Vice President at the end of last year was a decision that took some thought, but ultimately, I knew it was the right choice. The Association is a community of women and non-binary individuals who come together to support one another, share experiences, and work towards a more equal society. As a member of this community, I have found it to be incredibly welcoming and supportive, but also driven by a strong desire to make a difference.

One of the things that drew me to the Women of Aalto Association from last year was their commitment to addressing a range of issues related to gender equality. However, I felt like this was not done to a promising extent, so I considered joining for the right reasons to ensure that we cover a list of important discussions. From the gender pay gap to LGBTQ+ rights to communal and international issues, the Association is working to make a positive impact in many different areas. As a member of the Association's 7-person team, I have been able to get involved in some of these initiatives and contribute to their success.

Our priorities

One of our main priorities this year is to bring attention to and support the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. To this end, we are planning a series of events and activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Aalto community.

Another area of focus for us is the gender pay gap. Despite progress in recent years, women in Finland still earn significantly less than men on average. We believe that this is unacceptable and are working to promote policies and initiatives that will help close this gap. One real-life example of our focus on the gender pay gap is our aim to partner with a local advocacy group that is working to promote equal pay for equal work. Together, we aim to organize a series of workshops and events aimed at educating women about their rights and empowering them to negotiate for better pay. We have also been advocating for policy changes at the local and national levels, such as increased transparency around pay and benefits, and stronger enforcement of equal pay laws. Through these efforts, we hope to make real progress towards closing the gender pay gap and creating a more equitable society for all.

One of my own priorities is to work with our Corporate and Partnership Team to organise and conduct company gatherings which help empower women career-wise with information on networking, finding their expertise area and being able to break the ice with other fellow women or men.

We are also committed to addressing communal and international issues related to women. We believe that women's rights are human rights and that we have a responsibility to work towards a more just and equal society, both locally and globally.

Conclusion

Finally, we believe that men have an important role to play in women's society. As a member of the Women of Aalto Association, I have learned a great deal about the experiences and perspectives of women and non-binary individuals. I believe that it is important for men to listen to and learn from these experiences, and to use our privilege to advocate for a more equal and just society for all.

In order to ensure that our work is meaningful and impactful, we are constantly seeking input from our community. We believe that everyone's voice deserves to be heard and that by working together, we can create real change. As a member of the Women of Aalto Association, I am proud to be part of such a passionate and dedicated community, and I look forward to continuing to work towards a more equal and just world for all.

- Areeb