Women – holding up half the sky
Until we get accurate statistics about women and girls, data will remain skewed and inherently sexist, says Melinda Gates. Her and husband Bill’s foundation has recently announced $80 million to correct the disparity.
“When Uganda introduced survey questions to cover secondary activities, such as subsistence farming, the workforce ‘magically’ increased by 700,000 people, the majority of whom were women.
“Surveys also leave out unpaid caring work performed by women, which has an estimated value of $10 TRILLION per year, according to McKinsey.
“One of the ways homemakers create value, for example, is by making room for someone else in the household to earn an income.”
Wow! And, of course!
Women Centred Working‘s latest publication, a guide to adopting a women centred approach in policymaking, says, “The aim here is not to separate gender, but recognise that gender specific needs, approaches and working practices can be used alongside mainstream service delivery.
“There is a need for a gendered approach to be accepted and utilised as an additional element of service support, an ‘add on’ that highlights specific needs which integrate women centred practices in local authority priority areas, addressing needs and working in collaboration with third sector and other pubic agency partners.”
An international awareness raising week, World Breastfeeding Week encourages all members of society to play their part in making communities friendly towards and supportive of nursing mothers. Following 2015’s worldwide adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is making explicit the links between a healthy start to life and sustainable development. Are there things you could do to help mothers breastfeeding their children?
A great article by Julie DiCaro on the Women’s Media Center website:
“Being considered ‘less’ than my colleagues solely because of my gender – I’ve even had my credibility questioned when reporting easily verifiable information, like the World Series schedule or a starting lineup.
“When it comes to sports media, women, already viewed as ‘outsiders’ by men who resent our influx into history, must insist on working in roles where our thoughts, analysis, and reporting are as valued as our looks.”
