SI UN Representative Paulette Forbes-Igharo attended the
first day of the Womensphere Annual Global Summit and Awards, 27th
September 2012, entitled ‘Creating the Future: Evolution’. It involved a
gathering of activists dedicated to the
improvement of society, namely through improving the lives of women.
The awardees consisted of gathering of leaders across
industries, disciplines and generations. They were described as “extraordinary
women and men whose leadership, life work and accomplishments have created
significant impact in society, and globally, impacting the lives of millions.”
The day started with the opportunity to network over a
community breakfast. This resulted in attendees being able to make connections before
the official start of the program. The program then began with an introduction
from the host and co-hosts. Womensphere
outlined that their focus is to influence in order to achieve the development
of women leaders. It is this investment in development they believe that unlocks
the potential of women. Their aim is to unleash potential, create opportunity,
inspire, impact and transform the world.
Several presentations and awards took place under the
following categories:
- Creating the Future: Women, Global
leadership & Innovation
Shelly Lazarus looked
at the progression in the situation of women in the workplace from the 70’s to
today. She discussed some of the
restrictions that were placed on women in the 70’s. Some of these restrictions emanated from the
employers’ perception of women’s personal and domestic lives and noted that
women were not outraged at these presumptions.
They were happy to be included.
Then, by the 80’s women were told they could have it all – a career as
well as a traditional family role, and they attempted to do just that. But, today, women now have the power to
choose and can define success on their own terms. She emphasized that women must determine what
they demand of themselves and achieve their ambitions on their own terms
because society changes when it is forced to.
Ilene Lang of
Catalyst discussed the progression of women in education. She noted that women’s career advancement was
favorable until about the 80’s when the glass ceiling became a barrier. Recognizing this, Catalyst changed its focus
from assisting women directly through career counseling, to ensuring women’s
progress by helping companies to become more women friendly. In a research study to measure the gender
gap, it was found that the gap starts with the first job placement. Therefore, positioning women appropriately at the onset is
important.
Dr. Iris Bohnet
continued to outline the setting required for women’s professional advancement
by explaining why it is necessary to close the gender gap and the importance of
gender equality. She stated that it is economically
beneficial for all workers to perform efficiently. She cited research studies that proved the
economic benefits to the organization and to society in promoting of gender
equality. She noted that changes come
slowly but that people can make changes in their own environment.
Linda Cureton,
the final presenter in this category, encouraged women to be passionate and
determined about their vision even when faced with discouragement. She cited various game changers in society
who pursued their convictions.
Additionally, she gave examples of several innovative women. These are examples of ‘women who have been
where no man has gone before.’ In
conclusion, she cited Peter Drucker.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
- Creating the Future: Advancing Women’s
Leadership and Gender Equality
The four presenters in this category, Linda Basch, Edith Hunt,
Tiffany Dufu and Binta Niambi Brown
collectively expressed their concern regarding the relatively small numbers of
women leaders in the work place despite the recognition of the benefits of
diversity. They expressed the need for
collaboration to build a critical mass in the various fields in order to change
the culture. They emphasized the
importance of mentoring, as well as the use of the social web to communicate
with each other and to build relationships.
It was noted that despite claims of improvements as a result of women’s
participation, women are not defining the rules. This situation must change.
- Creating Opportunities & Advancing the
Status of Women Worldwide
The presenters in this category, Helene Gayle, Victoria Garchitorena, Lisa Darling, Kara Nichols and
Francine LeFrak all informed the conference of various projects in which
they were involved in different parts of the world that unleashed the potential
in women to substantially expand their roles in economic, social and political
spheres locally and globally. The
intention being to empower women to bring lasting change. They noted that it is important to remember
that everyone has potential and that helping girls and women is not to the
exclusion of men. They further
emphasized that empowering women is to give them power over themselves and to
inspire them to make changes within their communities.
- Advancing Women and Girls Through Social
Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship
The presenters of this session were Ayesha Vera-Yu, Katherine Chun, Lorna Solis, Heather Leathers, Conor
French, Sarah Symons and Analisa Balares. The projects described were
essentially entrepreneurial and community based. As a result community members were acquiring
skills whilst benefiting their communities in the process. Examples were the Ayesha Vera-Yu feeding program, Katherine Chong’s and Sarah Symons’ work
in human trafficking, Lorna Solis helping with the education of females in
refugee camps, Heather Leathers’ work to empower widows and restore their
dignity, Connor French’s sustainable economic projects, and Analisa Balares’
Womensphere Heroine venture. These initiatives showed how simple, thoughtful projects can ignite
residual power in people and increase the energy of the community resulting in
improved economic situations for all. More importantly, these models can be adapted
and replicated to create similar effects in other communities.
- Empowering Women in the Global Economy
Financial assistance fuels the other facets of empowerment,
so Vanessa Collela of Citi, North
America, Rosario Perez
of Pro Mujer, Gay Gaddis of T-3 and Musimbi Kanyoro of Global Fund for
Women explained how financial partners and sponsors can support with funding
and capacity building. They said it is important
for women to be financially educated to be able to make sound financial
decisions stating that women must be comfortable
with financial discussions.
Paulette describes that the title of Womensphere’s 5th
Global Summit and Awards, “Creating the Future: EVOLUTION” was very apt, expressing that it
was repeatedly demonstrated that small actions can create huge ripples.
The presenters at the conference outlined the need for
continued pursuance of the goal of women’s advancement globally. All of which is relevant to the mission of
Soroptimist International. Two areas in
which Paulette thinks we can immediately apply this information are by addressing the
plight of widows and by developing social entrepreneurship projects.
She says ‘In developing countries, widows suffer severe degradation
and inhumane treatment, often as a result of cultural norms. However, when families migrate, even to the
developed world, these cultural practices persist. The women are to a large extent an invisible
group with no support. Starting with
small entrepreneurial projects in our communities would be immensely helpful to
these women. Social entrepreneurship is
a vital key to development and empowerment.
Identifying projects that impacts the community while women build skills
and wealth would be helpful from many perspectives’.