In April, we partnered with Squash to deliver a transformative one-hour session designed for women and gender diverse individuals navigating gender-based bias at work. It was more than just a webinar, it was an experience that combined powerful storytelling, lived experiences, and actionable tools to drive change from within.
Reframing bias through real-world scenarios
Rather than delivering a traditional DEI talk, Squash use live-action drama performed by professional actors to bring real workplace scenarios to life. These scenes – rooted in real conversations and stories shared with Squash over the years – highlighted both systemic and unconscious bias. The session invited participants to observe, reflect, and speak up about what they recognised from their own careers.
Participants explored how bias shows up in seemingly “normal” meetings: the invisible burden of non-promotable tasks, unfair assumptions around confidence and capability, and how leadership decisions are often shaped by unconscious stereotypes.
One attendee shared:
“The role play was very realistic and hit close to home. It reassured me that I wasn’t crazy all the times I’ve been in similar situations and felt upset about it. It was also reassuring to hear other women’s experiences in the comments – it had a real community feel.”
A space for empathy, learning, and action
Throughout the session, the atmosphere was warm, reflective, and community-driven. Attendees were encouraged to discuss what they saw, share their stories, and support one another in real time.
“I really liked the space to discuss re-enacted scenarios as well as discuss and share our own experiences. The audience and the facilitator were empathetic and didn’t rush through the presentation when particular points caused a lot of discussion.”
Participants also left with practical self-advocacy tools, from boundary-setting scripts to confidence-boosting strategies, and ways to involve allies in driving wider cultural change. Many found the session enlightening in ways they hadn’t expected:
“Engaging and real-life examples. I thought the first clip was all fine, but realised later it was really not okay!”
Looking ahead
This session was a reminder that tackling workplace bias isn’t just about raising awareness, it’s about creating space for shared stories, reflection, and real change. It also reaffirmed how many women in tech have felt isolated in these experiences, and how powerful it is to be reminded: you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.
We’re thrilled to share that we’ll be running more workshops with Squash in the near future. If you missed this session, stay tuned and keep an eye on our events calendar, as more are coming soon.
To all those who joined us and contributed so honestly: thank you. Your voices are what drive this movement forward.
