Advancing Women in Government

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Advancing Women in Government Paths to power Advancing women in government Global Public Sector Authors Greg Pellegrino Global Public Sector Industry Leader, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Sally D’Amato Principal, Deloitte United States Federal Anne Weisberg Director, Talent, Deloitte Services LP Foreword by: James H. Wall Chief Diversity Offi cer, Global Managing Director, Talent Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Executive summary When it comes to women’s advancement, few achieve- A critical mass of women in leadership begets more ments can compare with the rising role of women in women in leadership government. The move to achieving full gender parity Simply put, without women in charge, there won’t be may be slow and uneven, but women are increasingly more women in charge. Evidence suggests that once fe- being elected and appointed to positions of power. This male representation reaches critical mass—commonly cited governmental evolution has the potential to pave the way fi gures hover around one-third as the tipping point—their for women to make further gains in the public and private shared interests as women emerge.1 This critical mass sectors, helping to bring their voice and talent to the issues also paves the way for still more women to ascend to the that shape national economies and societies. highest levels of the public sector, as they assuage lingering cultural and institutional concerns about women’s com- Deloitte developed this report to gain a deeper under- petency and provide valuable mentorship and networking standing of how women advance in government and to opportunities for newer female talent. explore the growing impact—and importance—of women in senior, decision-making roles in the public sector. Women in leadership pursue different paths to power In the process of writing this report, senior women around Among the key fi ndings of this report are: the world who have made their careers in the public sector were invited to share their stories and perspectives. Each Women are a critical national resource for economic of these women was chosen for her unique achievements growth and signifi cant societal contributions. And each pursued If talent is the most important natural resource a nation a different path to power—whether serving in an elected can possess, then continuing to nurture and advance the capacity, appointed to a ministerial position, working one’s most worthy, diverse talent—including high-potential way up the ladder through a career in the public sector, women—to upper-echelon, decision-making levels can scaling the ranks of the military or affecting policy change have a signifi cant impact on the economy. This is critical to via a role outside of formal government. The diverse career staying competitive. In the 21st century economy, knowl- paths of these accomplished women demonstrate the edge is the most valuable currency, and in many parts of many ways women’s talent can be harnessed in the public the world, women are rapidly matching or overtaking men sector, but also demonstrate that, despite the differences in terms of education. This report spotlights the critical in their experience, the leadership qualities that enabled need to harness and continue to mine the wealth of global them to lead successful careers translates across borders female talent, both in the public and private sectors, to en- and governments. sure continued growth and success. Not tapping into this resource means both wasting a wellspring of knowledge, Cultural and organizational change accelerates the competence, and unique perspectives and forgoing the retention and advancement of women return on investment that comes from the fact that women Developing countries are currently seeing a “brain drain” reinvest their wealth in their families and communities. where the educated women are emigrating at alarming rates in search of advancement and fulfi lling work. Not Progress in the public sector serves as a model for the only does this deprive those societies of their talent, it also private sector squanders the signifi cant investment made in these women Women in government set the stage for the advancement in terms of publicly fi nanced education and training. Insti- of women in the public and private sectors, and ultimately tutions in the developed world are experiencing a similar for women as a force in the economy. Countries where ef- fl ight of talent when opportunities are lacking. In both cir- forts to include women at the highest levels of government cumstances, an organization-wide culture shift is required have been most successful have reaped rewards in the to nurture an environment that is friendly to women and private sector as well. The public sector has been quicker to encourages their advancement. Those organizations that recognize and reward talented women; in fact, the private have taken a systemic approach to the issue have reaped sector may have much to learn from governments around the rewards in greater growth and higher returns. the world about attracting and retaining female talent. 1 Foreword Debates on the values of diversity and the empowerment about the challenges of managing a high-performance and advancement of women have raged for decades. The workplace and a personal life. This new focus on the need move to gender equality and representation of women to integrate work and life led to the introduction of formal at the leadership levels of business and government has and informal fl exible work options, and ultimately the roll- sparked protests, litigation, legislation, and ultimately out of the Mass Career Customization (MCC) framework far-reaching change. The work that began in the late 20th for career-life fi t. century to push back against the male-dominated model for career success and to ensure no employee has to In 2007, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu leadership formed the choose between a family and career advancement led to Global Retention of Women (GROW) Council to drive a changes that benefi ted women, men, and their public and worldwide effort to increase the representation of women private sector employers. in leadership positions as a fi rst step toward creating a more inclusive workplace. Today, 108 of the 140 countries The “Paths to Power” point of view suggests the greater in the Deloitte organization have formal and informal the number of women in leadership the more substantive diversity and inclusion initiatives, and Deloitte is invited and benefi cial those changes—including greater fi nancial to discuss—with business, civil society, academic, labor, rewards for those organizations with at least three women government, and entertainment luminaries—strategies on their boards. A look at the employers recognized as for empowering women worldwide. As signatories to the “best places to work” also shows this to be a case in point. UN Global Compact, Deloitte is called upon for insights Deloitte has seen the benefi ts of advancing women to on economic equity for and preventing violence against leadership since 1993, when the United States member women and contributed to the crafting of UNIFEM’s fi rm launched its Initiative for the Retention and Advance- and the UN Global Compact’s “Women’s Empowerment ment of Women and member fi rms around the globe Principles - Equality Means Business”. In roundtables at followed with initiatives for greater inclusion. the World Economic Forum, our perspectives are sought on diversity, sustainability, and outlawing the traffi cking in Efforts to promote the retention and advancement of women and children, among other pressing economic and women leveled the playing fi eld on the development, human rights issues. succession planning, and partner admission processes. Fre- quently Deloitte crossed paths with women in government When the advancement of women became a business and the public sector as we held ourselves accountable imperative for Deloitte, governments were no longer just for progress toward the proportionate representation of our clients, they became our partners in addressing the women at the top of the organization. Lynn Martin, former barriers to true gender equality. The empowerment and ad- Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor from 1991- vancement of women, ensuring they are represented and 1993, for example, chaired the Deloitte U.S. Council for the their voices heard when corporate and economic policies Advancement of Women. are shaped is as much a human rights issue as a workplace issue, and businesses and governments are obligated to As women moved into leadership positions, the next work together to create positive change. generation of women found role models and saw there was more than one path to success. More women’s voices were heard. Networking and mentoring events supported efforts to empower girls and women in the communities in which Deloitte does business and helped women to build the skills and gain the resources needed—from an interview suit to interview skills—to fi nd employment. As more women moved into decision-making roles, the way Deloitte worked changed. Women and men opened up James H. Wall Chief Diversity Offi cer Global Managing Director, Talent Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 2 Women and infl uence: social benefi ts, economic rewards When it comes to gender equality, few achievements can Public sector leading the way compare with the rising role of women in government. Full Women in government set the stage for the advance- gender parity may still be elusive, but women are increas- ment of women in both the public and private sectors, ingly being elected and appointed to positions of power, and ultimately for women as a force in the economy and whether as heads of state, ministers and cabinet members, society. Countries where efforts to include women at the or legislators. This governmental evolution has the poten- highest levels of government have been most successful tial to pave the way for women to make further gains in have reaped rewards in the private sector as well.
Recommended publications
  • The Lost Women of Iraq: Family-Based Violence During Armed Conflict © Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and Minority Rights Group International November 2015
    CEASEFIRE centre for civilian rights Miriam Puttick The Lost Women of Iraq: Family-based violence during armed conflict © Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and Minority Rights Group International November 2015 Cover photo: This report has been produced as part of the Ceasefire project, a multi-year pro- Kurdish women and men protesting gramme supported by the European Union to implement a system of civilian-led against violence against women march in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, monitoring of human rights abuses in Iraq, focusing in particular on the rights of November 2008. vulnerable civilians including vulnerable women, internally-displaced persons (IDPs), stateless persons, and ethnic or religious minorities, and to assess the feasibility of © Shwan Mohammed/AFP/Getty Images extending civilian-led monitoring to other country situations. This report has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the publishers and can un- der no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights The Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights is a new initiative to develop ‘civilian-led monitoring’ of violations of international humanitarian law or human rights, to pursue legal and political accountability for those responsible for such violations, and to develop the practice of civilian rights. The Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights is registered as a charity and a company limited by guarantee under English law; charity no: 1160083, company no: 9069133. Minority Rights Group International MRG is an NGO working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote cooperation and understanding between communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Women and the Glass Ceiling in the Federal Government." ·
    Women and the GLASS CEILING A Reportto he President nd the Con ress of the U ited States by the U.S. erit Systems rotection B ard Transmittal Letter U.S. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD Washington, D.C. 20419 October 1992 Sirs: In accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, it is an honor to submit this Merit Systems Protection Board report entitled "A Question of Equity: Women and the Glass Ceiling in the Federal Government." · While almost half of white-collar employees in the executive branch are women, only about one in ten senior executives is a woman. This report examines the reasons that so few women are in top-level positions in the Civil Service. Only some of the imbalance between men and women in higher grades can be explained by differences in the amount of education and years of Government service. Women also face unfounded stereotypes and assumptions about their abilities and job commitment that serve as subtle barriers to their advancement. The report discusses these barriers and offers recommendations for ways to achieve greater equity for women. We believe you will find this report useful as you consider issues concerning the effective management of Federal employees. Respectfully, Daniel R. Levinson Chairman ~Qr Antonio C. Amador Jessica L. Parks Vice Chairman Member The President President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives A Special Study A QUESTION OF EQUITY: Women and the Glass Ceiling in the Federal Government U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board DANIEL R. LEVINSON, Chairman ANTONIO C.
    [Show full text]
  • Women and Gender in Middle East Politics
    POMEPS STUDIES 19 Women and Gender in Middle East Politics May 10, 2016 Contents Reexamining patriarchy, gender, and Islam Conceptualizing and Measuring Patriarchy: The Importance of Feminist Theory . 8 By Lindsay J. Benstead, Portland State University Rethinking Patriarchy and Kinship in the Arab Gulf States . 13 By Scott Weiner, George Washington University Women’s Rise to Political Office on Behalf of Religious Political Movements . 17 By Mona Tajali, Agnes Scott College Women’s Equality: Constitutions and Revolutions in Egypt . 22 By Ellen McLarney, Duke University Activism and identity Changing the Discourse About Public Sexual Violence in Egyptian Satellite TV . 28 By Vickie Langohr, College of the Holy Cross Egypt, Uprising and Gender Politics: Gendering Bodies/Gendering Space . 31 By Sherine Hafez, University of California, Riverside Women and the Right to Land in Morocco: the Sulaliyyates Movement . 35 By Zakia Salime, Rutgers University The Politics of the Truth and Dignity Commission in Post-Revolutionary Tunisia: Gender Justice as a threat to Democratic transition? . 38 By Hind Ahmed Zaki, University of Washington Women’s political participation in authoritarian regimes First Ladies and the (Re) Definition of the Authoritarian State in Egypt . 42 By Mervat F. Hatem, Howard University Women’s Political Representation and Authoritarianism in the Arab World . 45 By Marwa Shalaby, Rice University The Future of Female Mobilization in Lebanon, Morocco, and Yemen after the Arab Spring . 52 By Carla Beth Abdo, University of Maryland
    [Show full text]
  • Estta576292 12/12/2013 in the United States Patent And
    Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov ESTTA Tracking number: ESTTA576292 Filing date: 12/12/2013 IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Proceeding 91213733 Party Plaintiff Half the Sky Movement, LLC Correspondence Naomi Straus Address Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp 1818 N St. NW 8th Fl. Washington, DC 20036 UNITED STATES [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Submission Other Motions/Papers Filer's Name Naomi Straus Filer's e-mail [email protected], [email protected] Signature /Naomi Straus/ Date 12/12/2013 Attachments Combined Motion for Suspension and Consolidation of Opposition Proceedings (5733120).PDF(3700927 bytes ) IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD ) HALF THE SKY MOVEMENT, LLC. ) Opposition No.: 91213733 ) App. No.: 85/694696 Opposer ) v. ) Opposition No.: 91213724 ) App. No.: 85/694691 HALF THE SKY FOUNDATION. ) ) Applicant. ) ) ) ) NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF. ) Opposition No.: 91213731 ) App. No.: 85/694696 Opposer ) v. ) Opposition No.: 91213721 ) App. No.: 85/694691 HALF THE SKY FOUNDATION. ) ) Applicant. ) ) ) ) GAMES FOR CHANGE, INC. ) Opposition No.: 91213730 ) App. No.: 85/694696 Opposer ) v. ) Opposition No.: 91213722 ) App. No.: 85/694691 HALF THE SKY FOUNDATION. ) ) Applicant. ) ) ) ) SHOW OF FORCE, LLC. ) Opposition No.: 91213728 ) App. No.: 85/694696 Opposer ) v. ) Opposition No.: 91213726 5710603.1/42898-00026 ) App. No.: 85/694691 HALF THE SKY FOUNDATION. ) ) Applicant. ) ) ) MOTION FOR SUSPENSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF OPPOSITION PROCEEDINGS Opposers, Half the Sky Movement, LLC, Nicholas D. Kristof, Games for Change, Inc., and Show of Force, LLC through their undersigned counsel, respectfully move that this Honorable Board (1) consolidate Opposition Nos.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Women's Representation in Parliament and the Passing Of
    The Effect of Women’s Representation in Parliament and the Passing of Gender Sensitive Policies Elizabeth Asiedu, University of Kansas, [email protected] Claire Branstette, American Institutes for Research, [email protected] Neepa Gaekwad-Babulal, State University of New York at Fredonia, [email protected] Nanivazo Malokele, University of Kansas, [email protected] Abstract This paper employs data from 159 developing countries to examine whether countries that have a higher share of women in parliament are more likely to pass gender sensitive laws. We find that all else equal, developing countries that have a higher share of women parliamentarians are more likely to pass comprehensive laws on sexual harassment, rape, divorce and domestic violence. The results are robust. They holds for Ordered Probit, Ordered Logit as well as ordinary least squares (OLS). The results also holds for 4 sample groups: 159 developing countries, 48 African countries, 43 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and 111 developing countries outside SSA. JEL Classification: K38, O1, O55, Key words: Gender Laws, Africa, Gender 1 Introduction Women political inclusion is a social, economic, and political good in itself. It matters for democracy and gender equality. Democratic process requires the participation of all citizens. Any deviations to this renders any attempts in promoting democracy are just other forms of fostering the social and political norms that created an unfair and unequal power sharing between men and women. This results in unequitable social policies and unfair political processes. Women political inclusion challenges both the power structures and relations that undermine the consideration of women’s needs and interest in policy-making.
    [Show full text]
  • INSTITUTION Pennsylvania State Dept. of Education, Harrisburg. PUB DATE [84] NOTE 104P
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 253 618 UD 024 065 AUTHOR Waters, Bertha S., Comp. TITLE Women's History Week in Pennsylvania. March 3-9, 1985. INSTITUTION Pennsylvania State Dept. of Education, Harrisburg. PUB DATE [84] NOTE 104p. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom Use, (055) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Biographies; tt dV Activities; Disabilities; Elementary Sec adary Education; *Females; *Government (Administrative body); *Leaders; Learning Activities; *Politics; Resour,e Materials; Sex Discrimination; *United States History IDENTIFIERS *National Womens History Week Project; *Pennsylvania ABSTRACT The materials in this resource handbook are for the use of Pennsylvania teachers in developing classroom activities during National Women's History Week. The focus is on womenWho, were notably active in government and politics (primarily, but not necessarily in Pennsylvania). The following women are profiled: Hallie Quinn Brown; Mary Ann Shadd Cary; Minerva Font De Deane; Katharine Drexel (Mother Mary Katharine); Jessie Redmon Fauset; Mary Harris "Mother" Jones; Mary Elizabeth Clyens Lease; Mary Edmonia Lewis; Frieda Segelke Miller; Madame Montour; Gertrude Bustill Mossell; V nnah Callowhill Penn; Frances Perkins; Mary Roberts Rinehart; i_hel Watersr Eleanor Roosevelt (whose profile is accompanied by special activity suggestions and learning materials); Ana Roque De Duprey; Fannie Lou Hamer; Frances Ellen Watkins Harper; Pauli Murray; Alice Paul; Jeanette Rankin; Mary Church Terrell; Henrietta Vinton Davis; Angelina Weld Grimke; Helene Keller; Emma Lazarus; and Anna May Wong. Also provided are a general discussion of important Pennsylvania women in politics and government, brief profiles of Pennsylvania women currently holding Statewide office, supplementary information on women in Federal politics, chronological tables, and an outline of major changes in the lives of women during this century.
    [Show full text]
  • Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
    “Half the Sky” Discussion Questions www.abwministries.org American Baptist Women’s Ministries Posted December 2011 Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide By Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn Discussion Questions Chapter 1 — Emancipating Twenty-First-Century Slaves By Barbara Anderson "All anyone should do is use their gifts in what way they can, ...." (quote by Natalie from the Overlake School in Washington State) As I read Chapter 1 and the story of Meena, I couldn't believe the strength of this young woman and others like her who endure so much in this world. As a Christian, God has called me to be a source of light in the midst of this darkness. As you read Chapter 1, what were your thoughts and feelings? The authors do show us hope through the Overland Park School and their support of the school in Cambodia. But sometimes hope is not enough when we hear the story of Kun Sokkea. As American Baptist women, how can we bring hope to the world? Chapter 2 — Prohibition and Prostitution By Virginia Holmstrom As I read chapter 2, I could almost feel the authors' despair (and even anger) about the discouragements of fighting sex trafficking. If AIDS doesn't kill those who are enslaved in brothels, then drug addiction or hopelessness or bribery of police and officials surely will. There are so many challenges that enslave victims of trafficking and prostitution. The authors make the point that we must "change the reality" of the situation in order to make a difference. For example, in Sweden, the government "changed the reality" by deciding that the prostitutes were not the problem; the johns who were buying sex were the problem.
    [Show full text]
  • Holding up Half the Sky Global Narratives of Girls at Risk and Celebrity Philanthropy
    Holding Up Half the Sky Global Narratives of Girls at Risk and Celebrity Philanthropy Angharad Valdivia a Abstract: In this article I explore the Half the Sky (HTS) phenomenon, including the documentary shown on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) network in 2014. I explore how the girls in whose name the HTS movement exists are repre- sented in relation to Nicholas Kristoff and six celebrity advocates. This analysis foregrounds Global North philanthropy’s discursive use of Global South girls to advance a neoliberal approach that ignores structural forces that account for Global South poverty. The upbeat use of the concept of opportunities interpellates the audience into participating in individualized approaches to rescuing girls. Ulti- mately girls are spoken for while celebrities gain more exposure and therefore increase their brand recognition. Keywords: Global South, Media Studies, neoliberalism, philitainment, representation, white savior b Girls figure prominently as a symbol in global discourses of philanthropy. The use of girls from the Global South lends authority and legitimacy to Western savior neoliberal impulses, in which the logic of philanthropy shifts responsibility for social issues from governments to individuals and corpo- rations through the marketplace, therefore help and intervention are “encouraged through privatization and liberalization” (Shome 2014: 119). Foregrounding charitable activities becomes an essential component of celebrity branding and corporate public relations that seek representation of their actions as cosmopolitan morality and global citizenry. Focusing on the Half the Sky (HTS) phenomenon that culminated in a documentary by Maro Chermayeff (2012) shown on the PBS network in 2014, in this article I examine the agency and representation of six celebrity advocates in relation to the girls in whose name the HTS movement exists.
    [Show full text]
  • Women in Higher Education in India
    Women in Higher Education in India Women in Higher Education in India: Perspectives and Challenges Edited by Hari Ponnamma Rani and Madhavi Kesari Women in Higher Education in India: Perspectives and Challenges Edited by Hari Ponnamma Rani and Madhavi Kesari This book first published 2018 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2018 by Hari Ponnamma Rani, Madhavi Kesari and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-5275-0854-4 ISBN (13): 978-1-5275-0854-5 CONTENTS Chapter One ................................................................................................ 1 Streeling-Punling-Samething H.P. Rani, G. Siranjeevi, B. Sai Krishna Chapter Two ................................................................................................ 8 Transforming the Identity of Women—From Tradition to Modernity— Through Cinema: Towards Gender Equality Madhavi Kesari Chapter Three ............................................................................................ 14 Gender Discrimination in India: A Fly in the Ointment Suneetha Yedla, Sailaja Mukku Chapter Four .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sex Trafficking and Intergenerational Prostitution
    LESSON PLAN Breaking the Chains of Modern Slavery: Sex Trafficking and Intergenerational Prostitution PBS.ORG/INDEPENDENTLENS/HALF-THE-SKY Table of Contents Welcome Letter 01 About the Filmmakers 02 About the Curriculum Writer 03 About the Documentary 04 LESSON PLAN: Breaking the Chains of Modern Slavery: Sex Trafficking and Intergenerational Prostitution Overview of Lesson 05 Pre-screening Activity 07 Viewing the Module 09 Post-screening Activity 10 Assignments 12 Extensions 14 Additional Resources 16 Alignment to Standards 18 Student Handouts 19 Purchasing the Full-Length Film 31 Purchasing the Book 31 Credits 32 Independent Television Service (ITVS) Community Classroom 651 Brannan Street, Ste. 410 San Francisco, CA 94107 [email protected] P: 415.356.8383 | F: 415.356.8391 itvs.org/Educators 01 Welcome to Community Classroom! The Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide resource you have before you combines short film modules from the PBS documentary series with standards-aligned lesson plans. It will give you everything you need to help older teens and young adults better understand why we believe the oppression of women and girls world- wide is the greatest moral challenge of our time. Through the stories of women acting as agents of change — from Vietnam to Somalia, India to Kenya — students will discover the work being done (and still left to be done) to reduce maternal mortality, gender-based violence, and sex trafficking. They will learn how economic empowerment and education can break the cycle of poverty. These lesson plans also encourage young men to see how helping women and girls helps an entire community, and to take on an active role in making this happen.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Empowerment
    DISCUSSION GUIDE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PBS.ORG/independenTLens/HALF-THE-SKY Table of Contents 1 Using This Guide 2–3 From the Filmmaker 4–6 The Film 5 The Film: Episode One 6 The Film: Episode Two 7–9 Background Information 7 Individuals Featured in Half the Sky: Economic Empowerment in Kenya 7 Kenya Past and Present 8 Savings for Women That Saves Women: Ingrid Munro and the Jamii Bora Microfinance Program 9 Umoja: Rebecca Lolosoli and Women’s Unity 10 What is Microfinance? 11 Economic Empowerment 12 Benefits of Economic Empowerment 13 What is Needed? 14 Thinking More Deeply 15 Suggestions for Action 16 Resources PHOTO CREDITS: JOSH BENNETT, JESSICA CHERMAYEFF, NICK KRISTOF, JENNI MORELLO, DAVID SMOLER Using This Guide Community Cinema is a rare public forum: a space for people to gather who are connected by a love of stories, and a belief in their power to change the world. This discussion guide is designed as a tool to facilitate dialogue, and deepen understanding of the complex issues in Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. It is also an invitation to not only sit back and enjoy the show – but to step up and take action. This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive primer on a given topic. Rather, it provides important context, and raises thought provoking questions to encourage viewers to think more deeply. We provide suggestions for areas to explore in panel discussions, in the classroom, in communities, and online. We also provide valuable resources, and connec- tions to organizations on the ground that are fighting to make a difference.
    [Show full text]
  • FREEDOM MOVEMENT: a CASE STUDY of FEMINIST LEADERSHIP in KURDISTAN by AMANDA METCALFE B.S., Texas A&M University, 1999 M.A
    FREEDOM MOVEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF FEMINIST LEADERSHIP IN KURDISTAN by AMANDA METCALFE B.S., Texas A&M University, 1999 M.A., University of Colorado, 2002 A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations 2018 This dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree by Amanda Metcalfe has been approved for the Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations by Sylvia Mendez, Chair Corinne Harmon Robert Mitchell Phillip Morris Wilbur Scott Date:12/04/2018 ii Metcalfe, Amanda (Ph.D. Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy) Freedom Movement: A Case Study of Feminist Leadership in Kurdistan Dissertation directed by Associate Professor Sylvia Mendez ABSTRACT The Kurds have endured a long struggle to secure a destiny of freedom. Kurdish women are now rising up to achieve their own freedom after decades of war, genocide, and statelessness. This study began in Kurdistan, Iraq with an intimate look at the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement, a feminist movement that is shifting its society away from social normative powers that have been dominant for generations. This exploratory case study was based upon academic reports, observations, and interviews with Kurdish female leaders. The case was used to create a critical understanding of feminist leadership from an age-old culture. Using Social Role Theory, this study investigated the experiences of Kurdish women moving into new leadership roles and shifting norms that allow such leadership to emerge. Transcripts from interviews with 20 Kurdish women from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and the US and investigative field observations of Kurdish women’s leadership stories were used to highlight a remarkable case of leadership.
    [Show full text]