DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
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​In today’s society, thousands of individuals who identify as gender diverse face significant challenges in finding employment and being accepted at work. In the United States alone, about one-third of gender-diverse employees experience various forms of workplace microaggressions (See the report of MCKINSEY, 2022 and the article in HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW, 2020).

 

This issue is especially challenging for transgender employees, particularly in emerging economies. In countries like Thailand, for example, transgender individuals are frequently turned away during the interview process solely because of their gender identity. Many face barriers to promotion and endure verbal and physical abuse in the workplace (Read the report of the WORLD BANK, 2018 and the article of WINTER ET AL., 2019).
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The goal of this research project is to explore how companies can create more inclusive workplaces that meet the needs of gender diverse individuals through gender, diversity & inclusion initiatives. It also examines how some gender diverse employees are actively working with companies bottom up to drive positive change for the broader community.

 

My decision to focus on gender, diversity & inclusion was shaped by my time in Thailand from 2020 to 2022, and my work in Bangladesh. During this period, I was profoundly influenced by the personal workplace experiences and stories that many gender diverse employees and entrepreneurs shared with me.

 

While there is substantial evidence highlighting the stigma that gender diverse individuals face in society due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, much less is known about their experiences in the workplace—specifically, how they navigate finding jobs, surviving in their roles, and advancing in their careers. Creating inclusive workplaces for gender-diverse individuals is crucial to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #5 (Gender Equality), #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and #10 (Reduced Inequalities). 

 

Although my initial research was primarily conducted in Bangkok, Thailand, I have been focusing on on evidence from Dhaka, Bangladesh. There, I have had the opportunity to interview over 50 successful gender-diverse entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses, serving as true inspirations for change.
 (Read a report that I wrote on gender diversity in Bangladesh, HERE).