Our commitment to our daughters

Today, 15th March, is national Dads4Daughters Day; “a day on which all fathers of daughters everywhere will be asked to pledge themselves to achieving greater gender equality in the workplace – the future workplace of their daughters.”

I have two daughters, aged 5 and 12. As I watch them grow up I support them in what they choose to do – whether standing on a cold, rainy field watching them play sport or helping them with an English essay homework after a long, tiring day at work. I encourage them to seize every opportunity life presents with hope and optimism.

Although they are young, my eldest daughter has entered secondary school where there is more academic rigour which will involve long hours of working hard with plenty of examinations along the way. I then hope she can fulfill her dreams and choose whatever career path she wants.

As a father, I couldn’t dream that my girls would go through all this to earn less than a colleague simply because they are female.

As an employer, I couldn’t contemplate paying one of our RedLaw consultants less just because they are female and, as a professional recruitment advisor, it’s extremely frustrating when meeting someone who is paid less just because they are female, but sadly it happens.

I believe it’s our job as fathers to not just promote equal pay but to stand up and be vocal in opposition wherever we hear or see any form of unequal pay based on gender.

I write this as a proud father who wants the best and equal opportunities for my girls and other fathers’ girls everywhere.