What does real gender equality look like when we strip away the slogans and get honest about power, choice, and change? Myra Betron has spent two decades leading global gender equality and social impact programs, and now she’s using data to spark deeper conversations through her new venture, PowerHerData. In this raw and inspiring chat, Myra shares how her personal story shaped her purpose, why the world still gets gender equality wrong, and how we can all start dismantling bias, one voice, one choice, one moment at a time.

Show Note:

Myra’s background and passion for gender equality @ 0:00

Myra shares that her work in gender equality and social impact was not something she chose, but rather something that chose her. Growing up in a traditional household with domestic violence, she was determined not to live that life and instead dedicated her career over the past 20 years to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment across various organizations and countries.

Launching PowerHerData to share data-driven insights @ 5:03

Myra explains that she started the PowerHerData venture this year as a way to take the research and data she has accumulated over her career and present it in more engaging, accessible ways to drive real change. She was motivated to do this after seeing gender equality work being framed as “ideological” and wanting to better communicate the positive impact of this work.

Challenges in achieving true gender equality @ 10:43

Myra discusses why gender equality programs have not translated into the level of real change desired, noting that the focus has often been on “fixing women” rather than addressing underlying structural issues and power imbalances. She highlights how biases, social norms, and the “boys club” mentality continue to hold women back, even in highly educated and professional settings.

Empowering women to use their voice @ 31:45

Myra emphasizes the importance of challenging gender biases when they arise, even in subtle ways, rather than letting them slide. She encourages listeners to take the gender bias quiz on her PowerHerData website as a starting point for self-reflection and awareness. Myra also shares a personal example of needing to speak up against a comment made by a friend about her choice not to have children.

Myra’s advice and vision for the future @ 36:36

Myra’s key message is that true gender equality is about equality of opportunity and choice, not uniformity. She wants to dispel the misconception that feminism is about women ruling the world, and instead focus on creating pathways for women to have the same freedoms and possibilities as men. Myra’s advice to her younger self would be to not let societal expectations limit her vision for what her life could be.

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