As a woman who has spent most of my working life in the social sector, I’ve never felt that being female would hold me back. From the very beginning I’ve been led and mentored by highly skilled, passionate and successful women, and have seen plenty of women in leadership roles along the way.
While I don’t know the exact numbers, and I have no doubt there is still a gender gap in management and Board representation in the social sector, my own experience tells me that women are more strongly represented among the senior ranks of Australia’s do-gooders than they are in other areas.
There are many reasons for this – perhaps more family-friendly, flexible workplace cultures, or the sheer dominance of women in the so-called ‘caring professions’. Lower salaries and the perception of the sector as less demanding may also be at play.
On the flipside, I believe women are a powerful force for social good because of their empathy, resilience, and people skills – they’re more willing to work for the greater good without letting ego get in the way.
So it has been no surprise to see a large number of women holding events as part of the Changemakers Festival, Australia’s national festival of social change. Right across the country, there are inspiring women from a wide range of backgrounds who are sharing their stories, skills and experience in driving social change, whether through social enterprise, government, big business or non-profit organisations.
The Changemakers Festival is made up of over 200 events in every state and territory, and the invitation is open to anyone to host an event related to social change and innovation. While there is an incredible variety of topics and causes represented in the program, we’ve also noticed a theme in this year’s Festival line-up around women and the role they play in driving social change, both in their professional and personal lives.
Here are a few events that you might find particularly relevant happening this weekend:
Eat for Aid – Sydney, NSW
http://changemakersfestival.org/event/eat-for-aid/
All proceeds will support Bodhicitta Foundation, a grassroots charity working with people from the poorest and most oppressed communities in India, for women’s empowerment, education, child health and human rights. Help us break the cycle of poverty.
Inspirationery – social change fundraiser – Melbourne, VIC
http://changemakersfestival.org/event/inspirationery-social-change-fundraiser/
Inspirationery is a social enterprise stationery label that donates 50% of profits to empowering women and girls through education and leadership programs.
Pink Yoga – NSW
http://changemakersfestival.org/event/pink-yoga-2014/
Australia’s biggest yoga class, open to people of all levels and abilities. As well as being great fun, it’s a fundraiser for Cancer Council NSW to help provide free yoga and meditation classes to women with cancer.
And while it’s not just about women, right across the country on October 25, tens of thousands of people will be taking part in Walk Together – a nationwide event in over 20 cities and regional centres to welcome and stand alongside our asylum seekers, refugees, and international migrants.
We’d love to see you there, or at any of the other fantastic events on this week. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn, share, connect, collaborate and celebrate all the ways people are making the world a better place.