Building connections for women's political power

On Wednesday night, Mariel, Suzanne and I attended an evening organized by Oxfam Canada on “Women’s Leadership: From Participation to Real Power.” Four speakers shared different perspectives on how we can move from women’s presence in places of leadership and power to the genuine sharing of power. The issue is extremely important, as Oxfam’s Robert Fox reminded us, because ending poverty and injustice around the world requires ending inequality between men and women.

John Gaventa, of the Institute of Development Studies in the United Kingdom, began the evening with a presentation on understanding power. He spoke of the need to challenge all forms of power that inhibit women, including visible, hidden and invisible power. Strategies need to link participation across the levels and spaces of power as well.

For me, Gaventa’s most interesting point was that studies have shown women don’t successfully mobilize politically unless they are aware of broader social exclusion. It’s a good reminder for social activists and politicians that social change comes when we have an understanding of the bigger picture, rather than an exclusive focus on our own narrow experience. My own research in university showed that women have most successfully integrated legislatures through a quota system when they had a strong women’s movement behind them. We need to build networks and connections, foster understanding and relate the issues we are passionate about to the bigger picture of injustice and exclusion.

Following Gaventa, Sandra Morán of Guatemala spoke of her work with the Sector de Mujeres. They work to acquire power that will liberate everyone from power that oppresses. Their slogan is “For me, for us and for others,” because change must be even for everyone, even those who oppose them. Morán spoke of the importance of solidarity, building connections, and working together.

Mahnaz Afkhami, President of Women’s Learning Partnership, and former Minister of State of Women’s Affairs in Iran shared her experience of working with women, particularly in Islamic countries. She argued that change requires a holistic approach, one that addresses political structures, culture and religion, but she urged against viewing culture as the manifestation of one religion or society. Change, according to Afkhami, will rely on giving choice to women, creating a sense of agency. We need to be aware that everyone can be a leader and a follower. Women’s leadership will come when we can connect the prose (pragmatism, skills and talent) with the passion (a commitment to gender justice).

Finally, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, offered reflections from the position of a woman who has held power. Women who do have power and networks need more courage, she said. They need to be in touch with the experiences of other women who struggle without power. We can’t substitute our voices for the voices of grassroots women, we need to make the space for their voices to be heard.

The evening was a good tribute to the work that is going on by women around the world to access real power and transform oppressive structures. It was also a clarion call for the work that remains to be done, and the importance of building connections, networks and understanding.