The theme for International Women's Day this year is #BreakTheBias. I've been starting to reflect on what this means, how we achieve this and the far-reaching difference it will make to everyone. To my mind 'breaking the bias' isn't a gender-specific issue. Bias - unconscious or not - can affect people across genders, sexualities, races, cultures, social backgrounds, religions, abilities and disabilities to name just a few.  

At Anthony Collins Solicitors we've committed to various ways of trying to achieve this. A few examples: 

• We've had firm-wide respect and dignity and unconscious bias training; 
• We've had advanced managing biases training for line managers and leaders; 
• We acquired the Women in Law accreditation last year and we're making good progress with our ongoing targets to improve gender diversity across the firm, particularly at senior and leadership levels.  

If we can learn how to recognise bias (in ourselves and others) and call it out, we will have the tools to help make a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society. It does sound like rather a high hurdle to overcome but maybe one step at a time is key? We certainly can't risk going backwards after the enormous improvements which have been made over the years. Thinking of the differences I see now to my parents' recollection of the society they grew up in and the prejudice they faced, gives me hope.

As a purpose-driven firm, the commitment to #BreakTheBias is absolutely aligned with our purpose to improve lives, communities and society.  

So, how will you #BreakTheBias? 

I'd love to hear what other people are doing.