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Transcript of OB - Women & Leadership
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This is to certify that M%. P%(2'( A;'#%
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I ac+noe"gethe aua3e assistance !roi"e" 3y S. * Man"ais . 6.
*o"ar Coege of Commerce & conomics7 for to year "egree course in
M.Com.
I s!eciay than+ the *rinci!a r. (Mrs) Sho3ana asu"ean for aoing us
to use the faciities such as 'i3rary7 Com!uter 'a3oratory7 internet etc.
I sincerey than+ the M.Com Co-or"inator for gui"ing us in the right
"irection to !re!are the !ro#ect.
I than+ my gui"e *rof. (Mrs) Te#asi *atan+ar ho has gien hisher
aua3e time7 +noe"ge an" gui"ance to com!ete the !ro#ect successfuy
in time.
My famiy an" !eers ere great source of ins!iration throughout my !ro#ect7
their su!!ort is "ee!y ac+noe"ge".
Signature of the Stu"ent
DECLARATION
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I7 *rithi 6charya of R. A. PODAR COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
" ECONOMICSof M.Com SMST III7 here3y "ecare that I
hae com!ete" the !ro#ect $%omen & 'ea"ershi! in the aca"emic
year 2014-2015 for the su3#ect 9rgani:ationa Behaiour.
The information su3mitte" is true an" origina to the 3est of my
+noe"ge.
Signature of the Stu"ent
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION >
6 WOMENS C+OICES 9
4
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? GENDER BIAS IN LEADERS+IP OPPORTUNITIES 11
4 IN-GROUP FAORITISM/ GENDER BIAS IN
EALUATIONS AND MENTORING NETWOR=S
14
7 GENDER ROLES IN FAMIL* SETTINGS 17
@ INFLEIBLE WOR=PLACE STRUCTURES AND
INADEUATE PUBLIC POLICIES
1>
> T+E SOCIAL COSTS OF GENDER INEUALITIES 19
STRATEGIES FOR C+ANGE 66
.1 INDIIDUAL STRATEGIES 6?
.6 ORGANIATIONAL STRATEGIES 6
.? SOCIETAL STRATEGIES ?1
9 CONCLUSION ?7
10 CASE STUD*/ WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN MICRO
FINANCE/ ISSUES AND C+ALLENGES
?@
10.1 INTRODUCTION ?@
10.6 WOMENS LEADERS+IP AND COMMUNIT* ISSUES,
MOBILIATION AND INSTITUTIONS
?
10.? CASE STUD* OF SA=TI ?
10.4 BAC+AT GAT WOMENS SELF-+ELP SAINGS
GROUPS
41
10.7 GLOBAL EPERIENCES OF MULTIFACETED
DEELOPMENT OF WOMEN
46
10.@ WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN ORGANIATIONDEELOPMENT, GOERNANCE AND +UMAN
4?
5
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RESOURCES
10.> ROLE OF CAPACIT* BUILDING, S=ILLS,
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND TEC+NOLOG*FOR WOMENS LEADERS+IP
4@
10. WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN MICROENTERPRISE,
LIELI+OODS, EMPLO*MENT, AGRICULTURE AND
LAND FACILITATING LAND LEASING TO T+E S+G
FEDERATION
4>
10.9 GENDER EUALIT* AND EMPOWERMENT OF
WOMEN
49
10.10 WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN INNOATIONS,
OPERATIONS, PRODUCTS, SERICES
7@
10.11 WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN DIRECTING AND
INFLUENCING MICROFINANCE POLIC*
7
10.16 SOME DISTURBING TRENDS @6
10.1? CONCLUSION @4
11 REFERENCES @7
INTRODUCTION
Some four "eca"es ago7 Betty ;rie"an he!e" aunch the contem!orary omens moement
ith her !u3ication of TheFeminine Mystique. The 3oo+ famousy i"entifie" a
has no name=> 6merican omens confinement to a se!arate an" une?ua "omestic s!here.
9ne factor contri3uting to omens une?ua status as their a3sence from ea"ershi!
!ositions. 6nother as!ect of the !ro3em as the ac+ of cutura consensus that this a3sence
as itsef !art of the !ro3em7 an" a matter of socia concern.
@
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9er the ast seera "eca"es7 e hae name" that ea"ershi! !ro3em an" create" a cottage
in"ustry to a""ress it. %omens un"erre!resentation in !ositions of !oer generates an
increasing array of committees7 commissions7 consutants7 centers7 conferences7 an"
commentary such as the essays that foo. Aet hie e hae ma"e consi"era3e !rogress in
un"erstan"ing the !ro3em7 e remain a "is!iriting "istance from soing it.
T' U!$%%)%&!2#2(o! o8 Wom! (! L#$%&'() Ro3&
The facts are frustratingy famiiar. es!ite amost a haf-century of e?ua o!!ortunity
egisation7 omens o!!ortunities for ea"ershi! are anything 3ut e?ua. To 3e sure7 the
situation has im!roe" significanty oer this !erio"7 !articuary if ea"ershi! is 3roa"y
"efine" to incu"e informa as e as forma e/ercises of authority. By that "efinition7 the
!ercentage of omen in ea"ershi! roes is su3stantia an" is increasing "ramaticay. That is
!articuary true in management an" the !rofessions7 here omen no occu!y roughy haf
of a #o3s. %omen aso ho" !ositions of !oer in a i"e range of goernmenta7 non-!rofit7
an" reigious conte/ts. But they are sti grossy un"erre!resente" at the to! an"
oerre!resente" at the 3ottom of the most infuentia ea"ershi! hierarchies.
In the nite" States7 omen are a ma#ority of the eectorate 3ut ho" ony a ?uarter of u!!er-
ee state goernmenta !ositions an" 15 !ercent of congressiona seats. 9er haf of coegegra"uates 3ut ess than a ?uarter of fu !rofessors an" a fifth of coege !resi"ents are femae.
In management7 omen account for a3out a thir" of M.B.6. casses7 3ut ony 2 !ercent of
;ortune 500 C9s7 !ercent of to! ea"ershi! !ositions7 an" 1@ !ercent of 3oar" "irectors
an" cor!orate officers. In a7 omen constitute a3out haf of ne entrants to the !rofession7
3ut ess than a fifth of a firm !artners7 fe"era #u"ges7 a schoo "eans7 an" ;ortune 500
genera counses. The ga! i"ens for omen of coor7 ho account for ony a3out 4 !ercent
of congressiona egisators7 8 !ercent of fu !rofessors7 an" 1 !ercent of cor!orate officers7
a firm !artners7 an" genera counses.
;rom an internationa !ers!ectie7 the nite" States is 3y no means aty!ica. Doeer7 as
su3se?uent "iscussion ma+es cear7 neither is it a or" ea"er7 at east in the num3er of
omen !oitica ea"ers. 6t this riting7 the nite" States ran+s si/ty-ninth in femae
egisatie re!resentation7 3ehin" Ca!e er"e7 Singa!ore7 Tur+menistan7 Eim3a3ae7 an"
the *hii!!ines. 9era7 the !ercentage of omen in eectie office has gron su3stantiay
oer the ast ?uarter century7 3ut as seera commentators in this oume note7 !rogress
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remains suggish. %omen ho" a3out 1@ !ercent of the seats in !ariamentary 3o"ies an"
a3out 11 !ercent of the !resi"ing officer !ositions. 6t current rates of change7 it ou" ta+e
a3out a century for omen to reach e?ua re!resentation in egisatie offices. 6 simiar
!attern is a!!arent ith hea"s of state. 63out @ !ercent of the or"s to! !oitica ea"ers are
femae7 u! from ess than 1 !ercent in G50. Since the 1GG0s7 ony a3out 80 omen hae
sere" as hea"s of state7 athough an increasing num3er hae 3een in !oerfu nations such
as the nite" Hing"om7 In"ia7 ,ermany7 an" Chie.
Com!rehensie internationa "ata is unaaia3e for omens re!resentation in ea"ershi!
roes in 3usiness an" the !rofessions7 3ut the imite" information that has 3een com!ie"
suggests am!e room for !rogress. ;or e/am!e7 across uro!e7 omen ma+e u! ony a3out a
thir" of high-ee "ecision ma+ers7 incu"ing egisators7 senior goernment officias7 an"
3usiness managers. 9ny !ercent of "irectors an" 5 !ercent of to! e/ecuties in the 200
argest com!anies are femae.
In some of the most !oerfu nations7 incu"ing ,ermany7 a!an7 an" ,reat Britain7 the
figures are sti orse. Jot a singe oman figure" in a recent ;ortune maga:ine surey of
the 25 highest-!aying C9s in uro!e7 an" in some countries7 no oman has eer hea"e" a
arge go3a cor!oration. In many nations in 6sia7 6frica7 an" the Mi"east7 omen hae
"ifficuty a+ing unescorte" or or+ing in any setting outsi"e their homes or fie"s7 et
aone ascen"ing a ea"ershi! a""er. es!ite significant nationa ariations7 the go3a
or+force is highy gen"er-segregate" an" gen"er-stratifie"7 an" !rogress toar" e?uity at
the highest ees has 3een so an" uneen.
This cha!ter e/!ores the reasons for these !ersistent an" !erasie ine?uaities. 6though the
e/!anations ary somehat across nationa7 cutura7 an" occu!ationa conte/ts7 common
o3staces to omens ea"ershi! emerge. The fooing "iscussion focuses on the nite"
States7 hich has the most e-"eeo!e" research on the issue. Doeer7 anaysis is
informe" 3y the internationa "ata aaia3e7 !articuary on to!ics such as !oitica
re!resentation an" or+famiy !oicies on hich the nite"State ags 3ehin" other nations.
6n initia issue for consi"eration inoes the roe of omens on choices in e/!aining
omens un"erre!resentation in ea"ershi! !ositions. 6though these choices !ay an
im!ortant !art7 they cannot 3e un"erstoo" in isoation from 3roa"er cutura constraints. 6s
the "iscussion 3eo suggests7 these constraints incu"e gen"er 3iases in ea"ershi!
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o!!ortunities7 gen"er roes in famiies7 infe/i3iity in or+!ace structures7 an" ina"e?uacies
in socia !oicies.
WOMENS C+OICES
The most common7 an" for many constituencies7 most conenient e/!anation for omens
un"erre!resentation in ea"ershi! !ositions is omens choices. *rominent nes !u3ications7
teeision ta+ shos7 an" em!oyee chitchat a offer ariations on a ongstan"ing theme>
omen ho o!t out of fu time !rofessiona or+ in or"er to +ee! the home fires 3urning. In
1G@F7 ;rie"ans Feminist Mystique!rom!te" simiar e/!anations for omens a3sence at
ea"ershi! ees.
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generay not ithout significant career costs an" "ifficuties. The same is true in other
a"ance" in"ustria nations for hich "ata is aaia3e.
;in"ings on career as!irations an" e/!ectations are aso mi/e"7 3ut gen"er "ifferences
ty!icay emerge. 6 surey of some 1200 e/ecuties in arious regions of the or" foun"
that su3stantiay more omen than men re!orte" re"ucing career as!irations to
accommo"ate !ersona an" famiy concerns. In one recent nite" States !o7 a thir" of
omen (com!are" to ony a fifth of men) re!orte" significant or+famiy conficts an" a
nee" to ma+e sacrifices inoing hours7 trae7 an" stress in or"er to a"ance !rofessionay.
In most7 athough not a7 stu"ies7 feer highy ?uaifie" omen than men "escri3e"
themsees as ery am3itious7 or intereste" in a C9 !osition or eectie !oitica office. 6s
su3se?uent "iscussion in"icates7 these omen are aso ess i+ey than their simiary
?uaifie" mae coeagues to negotiate for !rofessiona o!!ortunities.
,en"er "ifferences in re!ro"uctie choices are aso a!!arent. Much higher !ercentages of
highy cre"entiae" omen than men !erceie serious !ro3ems in reconciing or+ an"
famiy o3igations7 an" much higher !ercentages of omen remain chi"ess. In the
internationa surey note" a3oe7 femae e/ecuties ere more than tice as i+ey as their
mae counter!arts to "eay marriage or starting a famiy in or"er to esta3ish a career7 an" 12
!ercent of omen7 com!are" ith ony 1 !ercent of men7 "eci"e" not to hae chi"ren. 6
recent nite" States !o of ;ortune 500 senior e/ecuties foun" that 2F !ercent of omen7
com!are" ith 8 !ercent of the men7 ha" no chi"ren. 9ther eite !rofessions reea simiar
!atterns. ;or e/am!e7 in a stu"y of tenure" 6merican aca"emics7 haf of the omen 3ut ony
a ?uarter of the men ere chi"ess. In short7 omen ho "o not o!t out of "eman"ing
!rofessiona !ositions are more i+ey to o!t out of "eman"ing famiy o3igations.
Aet hat is too often 1misse" or marginai:e" in "iscussions of omens
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they hae ma"e the same choices as their mae counter!arts 3ut confront an a""itiona set of
o3staces. These 3arriers "esere greater !u3ic attention an" !oicy initiaties.
GENDER BIAS IN LEADERS+IP OPPORTUNITIES
G!$% S2%o2
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that men "o not. 6s!iring femae ea"ers can 3e i+e" 3ut not res!ecte"7 or res!ecte" 3ut not
i+e"7 in settings that may re?uire in"ii"uas to 3e 3oth in or"er to succee".
9ther gen"er-reate" stereoty!es are inconsistent ith ea"ershi! roes. Daing chi"ren
ma+es omen7 3ut not men7 a!!ear ess com!etent an" ess aaia3e to meet or+!ace
res!onsi3iities. The term negotiating effectiey for hat they ant or nee". In or+!ace settings7 the resut is that
femae em!oyees may 3e ess i+ey than their mae coeagues to gain the assignments7
!ositions7 an" su!!ort necessary for ea"ershi! roes.
9ther cognitie 3iases com!oun" the force of these tra"itiona stereoty!es. *eo!e are more
i+ey to notice an" reca information that confirms their !rior assum!tions than information
that contra"icts those assum!tionsL the "issonant "ata is fitere" out. ;or e/am!e7 hen
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em!oyers assume that a or+ing mother is uni+ey to 3e fuy committe" to her career7 they
more easiy remem3er the times hen she eft eary than the times hen she staye" ate. So
too7 attorneys ho assume that omen of coor are 3eneficiaries of !referentia treatment7 not
merit- 3ase" seection 7 i reca their errors more rea"iy than their insights. 6 reate"
!ro3em is that !eo!e share hat !sychoogists a3e a
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ascri3e" to uc+ or s!ecia treatment. en in e/!erimenta situations here mae an" femae
!erformance is o3#ectiey e?ua7 omen are he" to higher stan"ar"s7 an" their com!etence
is rate" oer. Moreoer7 for omen7 effectie !erformance "oes not necessariy suggest
ea"ershi! !otentia. In one recent stu"y of 200 managers7 su!erisors ho rate" femae
su3or"inates somehat higher than men in current com!etence rate" the omen oer in
ong-term ea"ershi! !otentia.
6gain7 omen often internai:e these stereoty!esL they generay see themsees as ess
"esering than men for rear"s for the same !erformance an" ess ?uaifie" for +ey
ea"ershi! !ositions. In mae-"ominate" settings7 as!iring femae ea"ers are aso su3#ect to
s!ecia scrutiny an" !oari:e" assessments. ,en"er stereoty!es are !articuary strong hen
omens re!resentation "oes not e/cee" to+en ees7 an" too fe countere/am!es are
!resent to chaenge conentiona assum!tions. 6 sma num3er of su!erstars i attract
s!ecia notice an" receie higher eauations than their mae counter!arts7 3ut omen ho
are #ust 3eo that ee ten" to get "is!ro!ortionatey oer eauations. 6t the same time7
the !resence of a fe highy regar"e" omen at the to! creates the iusion that the gass
ceiing has 3een shattere" for eeryone ese. 6n" hen su!erstars fai or o!t out7 their
"e!artures attract !articuar notice an" reinforce stereoty!es a3out omens esser
ca!a3iities an" commitment.
In-grou! faoritism is aso a!!arent in the informa netor+s of mentoring7 contacts7 an"
su!!ort that are critica for a"ancement. *eo!e generay fee most comforta3e ith those
ho are i+e them in im!ortant res!ects7 incu"ing gen"er. %omen in tra"itionay mae-
"ominate" settings often remain out of the oo! of a"ice an" !rofessiona "eeo!ment
o!!ortunities. %omen of coor aso e/!erience the !articuar "ifficuties of isoation an"
e/cusion. Sureys of u!!er-ee 6merican managers fin" that amost haf of omen of
coor an" cose to a thir" of hite omen cite a ac+ of infuentia mentors as a ma#or 3arrier
to a"ancement. 6 simiar !ro3em confronts !otentia ea"ers in other !rofessiona an"
!oitica settings in the nite" States an" a3roa". The reatiey sma num3er of omen ho
are in !ositions of !oer often ac+ the time or the eerage7 or in some cases the incination7
to assist a ho may ho!e to #oin them. ifferences across race7 ethnicity7 an" cuture
com!oun" the !ro3em. %hite men ho ou" i+e to fi the ga!s in mentoring often ac+
the ca!acity to "o so or are orrie" a3out the a!!earance of forming cose reationshi!s ith
omen7 !articuary omen of coor. 6though a groing num3er of organi:ations are
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attem!ting to res!on" 3y esta3ishing forma mentoring !rograms an" omens netor+s7 the
!aying fie" is sti far from ee.
GENDER ROLES IN FAMIL* SETTINGS
Ironicay7 the home is no more an e?ua o!!ortunity em!oyer than is the or+!ace> ony in
"omestic matters the !resum!tions of com!etence are reerse"7 hich creates une?ua famiy
3ur"ens. %omen are7 an" are e/!ecte" to 3e7 the !rimary caregiers7 es!eciay of the ery
young an" the ery o". In !rinci!e7 most men su!!ort gen"er e?uaity7 3ut in !ractice7 they
fai to structure their ies to !romote it. es!ite a significant increase in mens "omestic
or+ oer the ast to "eca"es7 omen continue to shou"er the ma#or 3ur"en. In one
re!resentatie surey of high-achieing omen7 four of ten fet that their hus3an"s create"
more "omestic or+ than they contri3ute". Most mae ea"ers in 3usiness an" !rofessiona
!ositions hae s!ouses ho are fu-time homema+ers7 or ho are or+ing !art-time. The
same is not true of femae ea"ers7 ho7 ith fe e/ce!tions7 are either singe or hae
!artners ith fu-time #o3s. ;e of these hus3an"s are iing to su3or"inate their on
careers to assist their ies. ;ar more mothers than fathers are singe !arents7 an" that is
!articuary true of omen of coor ho often assume a""itiona careta+ing o3igations for
their e/ten"e" famiy.
ou3e stan"ar"s in "omestic roes are "ee!y roote" in cutura attitu"es an" or+!ace
!ractices. %or+ing mothers are he" to higher stan"ar"s than or+ing fathers an" are often
critici:e" for 3eing insufficienty committe"7 either as !arents or !rofessionas. Those ho
seem iing to sacrifice famiy nee"s to or+!ace "eman"s a!!ear ac+ing as mothers.
Those ho ta+e e/ten"e" eaes or re"uce" sche"ues a!!ear ac+ing as ea"ers. These mi/e"
messages eae many omen ith the uncomforta3e sense that hateer they are "oing7
they shou" 3e "oing something ese.
Jeither !u3ic attitu"es nor or+!ace !ractices su!!ort reersas of the tra"itiona aocation
of "omestic roes. ;eer than 15 !ercent of 6mericas ;ortune 100 com!anies offer the same
!ai" !arenta eae to fathers as to mothers7 an" an een smaer !ercentage of men ta+e any
e/ten"e" !erio" of time aay from their #o3s for famiy reasons. Simiar !atterns !reai
internationay e/ce!t in the reatiey fe countries that man"ate
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resistant to fathers. a""y trac+s are noticea3e for their a3sence. Aet or+!ace !oicies that
"isa"antage men aso "isa"antage omen. By "iscouraging hus3an"s from assuming an
e?ua "iision of househo" res!onsi3iities7 !reaiing !arenta eae structures reinforce
gen"er roes that are se!arate an" 3y no means e?ua. 6s ong as or+famiy issues are seen
as !ro3ems !rimariy for omen7 !otentia soutions are i+ey to receie ina"e?uate
attention in ea"ershi! circes sti "ominate" 3y men.
The gen"er im3aance in famiy roes reinforces gen"er ine?uaities in career "eeo!ment.
%omen ith "eman"ing or+ an" famiy commitments often ac+ time for the netor+ing
an" mentoring actiities that are necessary for a"ancement. 6s former Catayst *resi"ent
Sheia %eington notes7 at the en" of the "ay7 many
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omen in u!!er-ee !rofessiona an" 3usiness !ositions re!ort that they "o not hae
sufficient time for themsees or their famiies. Some fee they cannot manage a go"fish7
much ess a chi". Many as!iring ea"ers7 !articuary omen of coor7 e/!ress frustration
ith or+!ace "eman"s that com!ete ith commitments to community7 reigious7 an" other
ountary organi:ations that are im!ortant in their ies.
*art of the !ro3em is the i"e ga! 3eteen forma !oicies an" actua !ractices concerning
or+famiy conficts. 6though most omen in to! manageria an" !rofessiona !ositions
hae access to re"uce" or fe/i3e sche"ues7 fe of these omen fee a3e to ta+e a"antage
of such o!tions. ;or e/am!e7 oer G0 !ercent of 6merican a firms re!ort !oicies
!ermitting !art-time or+7 yet ony a3out 4 !ercent of ayers actuay use them. Most
omen 3eiee7 ith goo" reason7 that any re"uction in hours or aaia3iity ou"
#eo!ar"i:e their career !ros!ects. 6 i"e ariety of research fin"s that een short-term
a"#ustments in or+ing sche"ues such as eaes or !art-time status for un"er a year resut in
ong-term re"uctions in earnings an" a"ancement.
The stress7 infe/i3iity7 an" unmanagea3e time "eman"s that resut from or+!ace norms
!ay a ma#or roe in omens "ecisions to ste! off the ea"ershi! trac+ 3oth in the nite"
States an" a3roa". 6though many of these omen return to high-!oere" careers7 others
fin" their reentry 3oc+e"7 ess a!!eaing than ounteer or+7 or starting their on sma-
scae 3usiness in hich they can contro their on hours. Some of these aternaties !resent
ea"ershi! o!!ortunities of another sort7 3ut far too much taent fas 3y the aysi"e.
The fact that careta+ing is sti consi"ere" !rimariy an in"ii"ua rather than a socia
res!onsi3iity a""s to omens or+ in the home an" imits their o!!ortunities in the or"
outsi"e it. The nite" States is amost aone among in"ustriai:e" nations in faiing to
guarantee !ai" !arenta eaes7 an" ony a3out a tenth of those eigi3e for the argey un!ai"
o!tions currenty aaia3e ta+e a"antage of them. Nuaity7 affor"a3e chi"care an" e"er
care are aso unaaia3e for many omen attem!ting to or+ their ay u! the ea"ershi!
a""er. %hie these are not sim!y omens issues7 omen hae !ai" the highest !rice for our
faiure to a""ress them.
?ua o!!ortunity as hae aso !roe" ina"e?uate to ensure e?uaity in ea"ershi!
!ositions. 'ega reme"ies for gen"er 3ias generay re?uire either !roof of intentiona
"iscrimination or a !attern an" !ractice that has 3roa" "iscriminatory im!act an" is not
1F
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#ustifie" 3y 3usiness necessity. Jeither reme"y is e suite" for those in u!!er-ee
!rofessiona an" management !ositions. The "ifficuties of !roof an" the costs of ega
!rocee"ings !reent most omen ho e/!erience gen"er 3ias from see+ing ega reme"ies.
These reme"ies are een ess accessi3e outsi"e the nite" States7 3ecause most nations ac+
anti-"iscrimination enforcement structures an" cass-action !roce"ures that !ermit cost-
effectie res!onses for routine grieances. en in countries i+e the nite" States7 hich
hae reatiey e-"eeo!e" ega !rotections7 fe in"ii"uas ant to incur the ris+s of
retaiation or the re!utationa in#uries that accom!any forma com!aints. ness ia3iity is
cear an" "amages are su3stantia7 "iscrimination caims are sim!y too e/!ensie to itigate.
Aet ia3iity is se"om cear for omen on ea"ershi! trac+s7 here the criteria for
a"ancement are su3#ectie7 an" the !oo of simiar em!oyees is too sma to !ermit
meaningfu statistica com!arisons. %inning such cases fre?uenty "eman"s fairy e/!icit
ei"ence of 3ias7 3ut those ho har3or intentiona !re#u"ice generay hae the sense not to
e/!ress it !u3icy. To 3e sure7 a fe high-!rofie cases inoing egregious facts continue to
arise7 an" their arge "amage aar"s hae !rom!te" much- nee"e" changes7 !articuary in
fie"s such as financia serices. But for the ast ma#ority of omen ho are stymie" 3y
su3te 3ias an" infe/i3e sche"ues7 asuits ma+e no sense.
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inestment. 6though correation "oes not aays im!y causation7 there are strong reasons to
3eiee that "iersity in ea"ershi! has tangi3e !ayoffs.
The most o3ious reason is "emogra!hic. %omen are no a ma#ority of coege gra"uates
an" a groing share of the taent aaia3e for ea"ershi!. 9rgani:ations that create a cuture
of e?ua o!!ortunity are 3etter a3e to attract7 retain7 an" motiate the most ?uaifie"
in"ii"uas. e"ucing the o3staces to omens success aso re"uces the costs of attrition. It
increases em!oyees morae7 commitment7 an" retention7 an" "ecreases the e/!enses
associate" ith recruiting7 training7 an" mentoring re!acements.
6 secon" rationae for insuring e?ua access to ea"ershi! !ositions is that omen hae
"istinct !ers!ecties to contri3ute. In or"er to !erform effectiey in an increasingy
com!etitie an" muticutura enironment7 or+!aces nee" in"ii"uas ith "ierse
3ac+groun"s7 e/!eriences7 an" styes of ea"ershi!. The !oint is not that there is some singe
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recent tren"s in ea"ershi! e"ucation hae encourage" 3oth se/es to a"o!t more
coa3oratie7 inter!ersonay sensitie a!!roaches. Jor is it sur!rising that some stu"ies fin"
su!erior !erformance 3y omen ea"ers7 gien the hur"es that they hae ha" to surmount to
reach u!!er-ee !ositions an" the !ressures that they hae face" to consistenty e/cee"
e/!ectations. %hateer ese can 3e inferre" from this research7 it is cear that a society can i
affor" to ose so many taente" omen from its ea"ershi! !oo. To the e/tent that femae
ea"ers graitate toar" a coa3oratie7 inter!ersonay sensitie a!!roach7 it i !roe an
asset in many ea"ershi! settings.
Simiar !oints are a!!ica3e to gen"er "ifferences in ea"ershi! !riorities. The most
systematic research inoes commitment to omens issues7 an" here again7 the fin"ings are
mi/e". ;or e/am!e7 most7 athough not a7 ei"ence in"icates that femae #u"ges are more
su!!ortie than their mae coeagues on gen"er-reate" issues. 6n" many omen #u"ges7
3oth through in"ii"ua ruings an" coectie efforts in omen $s #u"icia organi:ations7 hae
s!earhea"e" res!onses to omens concerns in areas such as "omestic ioence7 chi"
su!!ort7 an" gen"er 3ias training. The same is true of omen in !u3ic office7 ho hae often
cham!ione" causes of !articuar concern to omen. Most research on femae !oiticians 3oth
in the nite" States an" a3roa" fin"s that they are more i+ey than their mae coeagues to
su!!ort an" s!onsor egisation "eaing ith the interests of omen an" famiies7 an" to ran+such egisation among their highest !riorities. %omen hea"s of state are aso !articuary
iing to consi"er gen"er in !oitica a!!ointments. 6 !rominent case in !oint is Chies
*resi"ent7 Michee Bacheet7 ho +e!t a cam!aign !romise to fi haf of her ca3inet seats
ith ?uaifie" omen.
Aet not a femae ea"ers share such commitments. /am!es such as Margaret
Thatcher remin" us that eecting omen is not aays the 3est ay to a"ance omens
concerns. /tensie research on 6merican egisatures fin"s that !arty affiiation is more
im!ortant than gen"er in !re"icting otes on omens issues7 an" that i"eoogy is more
im!ortant in !re"icting s!onsorshi! of egisation on these issues. Some of the orst
congressiona oting recor"s on omens rights 3eong to omen7 an" reatiey fe femae
state egisators ma+e omens concerns a to! !riority. Some omen in the nite" States an"
a3roa" sti run cam!aigns ith the strategy that Caifornia Senator Bar3ara Bo/er ryy
"escri3e" as the tra"itiona is"om for femae can"i"ates>
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The same !oint cou" 3e ma"e a3out !rofessiona an" manageria conte/ts. Many omen
ea"ers hae ma"e a crucia "ifference in !romoting omens issues an" in creating
institutiona structures that i "o the same. ;or e/am!e7 femae uniersity !resi"ents an"
managing !artners of a firms hae 3een at the forefront of efforts to !romote gen"er e?uity
through fairer eauation !rocesses7 im!roe" or+famiy !oicies7 an" reate" initiaties.
Aet sureys aso fin" arge num3ers of omen ea"ers ho "o not actiey a"ocate omens
interests. n"erying these "ifferent !riorities are "ifferences in !ersona e/!eriences7 ris+s7
an" infuence.
;or some femae ea"ers7 their on e/!eriences of "iscrimination7 marginai:ation7 or
or+famiy conficts eae them ith a "esire to ma+e ife 3etter for their successors. 9ther
omen en" u! as a"ocates !arty 3y "efaut. They may 3e as+e" to re!resent the
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STRATEGIES FOR C+ANGE
To reach greater gen"er e?uaity in ea"ershi! i re?uire e/!an"ing o!!ortunities fortaente" omen an" ena3ing them to !erform effectiey in !ositions of !oer. 6s is o3ious
from the !rece"ing "iscussion7 such a reform agen"a i re?uire strategies on the in"ii"ua7
institutiona7 an" societa ees. This ou" not7 hoeer7 3e o3ious from
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their organi:ation. 6ccor"ing to a surey of omen managers an" !rofessiona consutants7
the re?uirement is generay fin"ing a
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mentoring to #unior omen. The resut is often a form of
those omen hose efforts to hae a ife ta+e them off the ea"ershi! trac+ an" eae no time
for coectie efforts that might ma+e 3etter choices aaia3e. That ga! !oints u! a 3roa"er
ea+ness in the ho-to iteratureL its focus on in"ii"uas imits its effectieness in soing
the chaenges it i"entifies.
L#$%&'() L(2/ T' Co!2%(52(o!& #!$ L(m(2& o8 S38-+3)
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6s sef-he! iterature goes7 most !u3ications on omens ea"ershi! seem 3etter than
aerage. They generay offer usefu common sense in accessi3e !rose7 ith enough !ersona
anec"otes an" rea-or" e/am!es to ma+e the strategies concrete. The 3est of the iterature
"ras on reeant research an" !in!oints recurrent mista+es 3y as!iring ea"ers. Some of the
a"ice seems !ainfuy o3ious> "o not see! ith the 3oss7 "o not "ress !roocatiey7 "o not
a"ertise mista+es or uncertainty. Aet the continue" fre?uency of such im!ru"ent 3ehaiors
een among e-e"ucate" !rofessionas suggests that !ointe" remin"ers may sti 3e usefu.
There are7 hoeer7 serious imitations in this iterature. 9ne stems from its stunningy
generai:e" a!!roach to com!e/ issues. Most tra"e !u3ications offer a-!ur!ose
!rescri!tions on the a!!arent assum!tion that a ea"ershi! conte/ts are 3asicay the same.
Some 3oo+s are e/!icit on the !oint. 'in"a Car+s Leadership Essentials for Women a
gui"e targete" to ea"ers of Christian organi:ations7 3egins>
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ho "ont fight for saaries are not ony un"er!ai" 3ut un"eraue". 6most neer "o these
!u3ications ac+noe"ge the !ossi3iity that omen cou"7 or shou"7 hae a "ifferent set of
!riorities than !ay an" !er+s> more humane hours7 3etter or+famiy an" chi" care !oicies7
greater su!!ort for community serice7 an" so forth. ather7 the em!hasis is on ena3ingomen to score higher un"er rues not of their on ma+ing.
%omens ca!acity to change the rues through coectie action gets at 3est gancing attention
in these !u3ications. Their reentess focus on in"ii"ua a"ancement "ierts attention from
institutiona reform. The ea"ershi! ite o3#ectie is getting more omen into !ositions of
!oer. %hat they "o hen they get there is a matter of itte a!!arent concern. Aet as the
fooing "iscussion suggests7 it is omens ea"ershi! on omens issues that is often
critica in o!ening the o!!ortunities that !o! !u3ications e/at.
Wom!& L#$%&'() o! Wom!& I&&5&
%omen on the ea"ershi! trac+ hae uni?ue o!!ortunities an" corres!on"ing o3igations to
!romote changes that i ma+e ea"ershi! accessi3e to others. 6s citi:ens7 omen can
su!!ort !oicies7 !oiticians7 an" !ractices that i a"ance gen"er e?uity. 6s !rofessionas
an" community actiists7 omen can ma+e e?uai:ing ea"ershi! o!!ortunities a !riority.
6n" as !arents7 omen can mo"e effectie ea"ershi! an" chaenge the chi"rearing !atterns
that or+ against it.
2@
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6n o3ious e/am!e inoes "aughters an" "os. 6t ery eary ages7 chi"ren form gen"er-
in+e" !references in toys. 6s ea"ershi! e/!erts note7 the cuture in genera an" !arents in
!articuar often reinforce these !references. ,iing so!histicate" miitary games to 3oys an"
Bar3ies to girs he!s !er!etuate tra"itiona gen"er roes an" gen"er ine?uaities. 9er a
3iion Bar3ies hae 3een so" in 150 countries7 an" the most !o!uar accessories incu"e
#eery7 reci!e 3o/es7 an" acuum ceaners. 6 !aro"y 3y 'nionmaga:ine of a fictiona C9
Bar3ie s!ea+s oumes a3out the messages 3eing sent. The maga:ine "escri3es a moc+
!rotest against Matte for 3ringing out a "o that fosters
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But a more com!rehensie a!!roach7 hich ho"s "ecision ma+ers res!onsi3e for a range of
efforts an" resuts7 is essentia to aign "iersity !rinci!es ith organi:ationa !ractices.
M#&5%(! #!$ Mo!(2o%(! R&532&
To ma+e such !rogress7 organi:ations nee" concrete assessments of resuts. 9n this !oint7
conentiona is"om is right> organi:ations get hat they measure. 6n" too fe
organi:ations a"e?uatey measure gen"er e?uity. m!oyers shou" com!ie information on
recruitment7 hiring7 !romotion7 an" retention7 3ro+en "on 3y se/7 as e as race an"
ethnicity. Sureys of current an" former em!oyees can aso !roi"e aua3e information on
e?uity an" ?uaity-of-ife issues. ecision ma+ers nee" to +no hether men an" omen are
a"ancing in e?ua num3ers an" hether they fee e?uay e su!!orte" in career
"eeo!ment. %here !ossi3e7 em!oyers shou" assess their on !rogress in com!arison
ith simiar organi:ations an" the 3est !ractices i"entifie" 3y e/!erts an" !rofessiona
organi:ations. In some conte/ts7 e/!erience" "iersity consutants can he! i"entify 3arriers
to e?ua o!!ortunity an" "esign a!!ro!riate res!onses.
9rgani:ations aso nee" to monitor the effects of gen"er e?uity initiaties on omens
ea"ershi!. Many organi:ations inest su3stantia time an" money in "iersity training
!rograms that hae no measura3e im!act on outcomes. 6though some sma-scae stu"ies
fin" that such !rograms may im!roe aareness an" attitu"es7 others fin" ris+s of 3ac+ash
from hite mae !artici!ants. 6n" irtuay no ei"ence "ocuments im!roements in the
re!resentation of omen in u!!er-ee !ositions as a resut of such training.
9ther !ractices that may affect ea"ershi! o!!ortunities shou" aso 3e su3#ect to scrutiny.
9ne !ractice inoes the !rocess 3y hich in"ii"uas are eauate" for !romotion an"
seecte" for ea"ershi! !ositions. ecision ma+ers shou" screen ritten eauations for
stereoty!ica characteri:ationsL "eeo! o3#ectie7 outcome-reate" criteria to su!!ementsu3#ectie assessmentsL reie assignments to insure e?ua o!!ortunities for career
"eeo!mentL an" e"ucate in"ii"uas a3out ho to gie an" receie effectie !erformance
eauations.
5#3(2< o8 L(8 #!$ Wo%:-F#m(3< I!(2(#2(&
6ny serious commitment to e/!an" omens ea"ershi! o!!ortunities re?uires a simiary
serious commitment to a""ress or+famiy conficts that stan" in the ay of a"ancement.
Best !ractices an" mo"e !rograms are rea"iy aaia3e on matters such as fe/i3e an"
2
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re"uce" sche"ues7 teecommuting7 eae !oicies7 an" chi"care assistance. Such o!tions are
critica in retaining !otentia ea"ers. In sureys of high-achieing omen7 3eteen to-
thir"s an" four-fifths i"entify or+famiy issues as a ma#or !art of the !ro3em an" the
soution for omens a"ancement. Most of these omen rate sche"ue fe/i3iity as more
im!ortant than com!ensation. 6though the "etais of effectie !oicies ary across
organi:ations7 to im!ortant factors are mutua commitment an" fe/i3iity. Technoogies
that 3ur the 3oun"aries 3eteen home an" or+ can he!7 3ut not if in"ii"uas remain
constanty on ca7 hostage to sche"ues not of their on ma+ing.
9rgani:ations aso nee" to insure that omen ho see+ tem!orary accommo"ations "o not
!ay a !ermanent !rice. Ste!!ing out shou" not mean ste!!ing "on> in"ii"uas on re"uce"
or fe/i3e sche"ues shou" not ose o!!ortunities for chaenging assignments or eentua
!romotion. Jor shou" omen ho tem!orariy o!t out ose a contact ith the or+!ace.
*art-time consuting arrangements an" em!oyer-su!!orte" career "eeo!ment o!!ortunities
can 3ui" oyaty an" assist the transition 3ac+.
;inay7 an" most im!ortant7 famiy an" ?uaity of ife concerns nee" to 3e seen not #ust as
omens issues 3ut aso as organi:ationa !riorities. 9!tions i+e !arenta eae an" fe/i3e
sche"ues shou" 3e gen"er neutra in fact as e as in form7 an" men shou" 3e encourage"
to ta+e a"antage of them. Time shou" 3e aaia3e for 3oth se/es to ac?uire the 3roa"
e/!erience that comes from famiy an" ciic !ursuits. *oicies nee" to 3e monitore" to ensure
that o!tions are aaia3e in !ractice as e as in !rinci!e7 an" that omen at the highest
ea"ershi! ee fee a3e to ta+e a"antage of them. In short7 if em!oyers ant the most a3e
an" "ierse ea"ershi! can"i"ates !ossi3e7 the or+ing enironment nee"s to attract an"
retain them.
M!2o%(! P%o%#m& #!$ Wom!& N2Ho%:&
The im!ortance of mentors has ong 3een recogni:e"7 3ut7 as note" earier7 the
institutionai:ation of mentoring has agge" 3ehin". ;orma !rograms can he! fi the ga!. 9f
course7 reationshi!s that are assigne" are se"om as effectie as those that are chosen. But
some access to a"ice an" su!!ort may 3e 3etter than none. 6t the ery east7 structure"
!rograms can +ee! taente" 3ut unassertie omen from faing through the crac+s7 an"
remoe concerns a3out a!!earances of faoritism or se/ua im!ro!riety that sometimes
inhi3it mentoring reationshi!s. %e-"esigne" initiaties that eauate an" rear" mentoring
2G
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actiities can im!roe !artici!ants s+is7 satisfaction7 an" retention rates. The ony
systematic arge-scae stu"y to "ate has foun" that mentoring !rograms are correate" ith
mo"est gains in femae re!resentation in manageria !ositions an" that omen of coor
3enefit most.
6 reate" strategy inoes su!!ort for omens netor+s in or+!aces7 !rofessiona
associations7 an" minority organi:ations. These netor+s s!onsor a ariety of actiities7 such
as or+sho!s7 seminars7 s!ea+er series7 an" informa socia eents. Common goas incu"e
in+ing !rofessionas ith !otentia cients an" customers7 "eeo!ing career a"ancement
s+is7 an" re!resenting omens share" concerns in their !rofessions or or+!aces. 6ffinity
grou!s for omen of coor are es!eciay critica in re"ucing !artici!ants sense of isoation.
By 3ringing !otentia ea"ers together aroun" common interests7 these netor+s can
encourage mentoring7 enhance re!utations7 an" forge coaitions on gen"er-reate" issues.
*artici!ants often gain not ony s+is 3ut motiation to use them on 3ehaf of other omen.
The ony arge-scae surey of the effectieness of such netor+s foun" that they ha" a
mo"est correation ith omens a"ancement in management. Sma-scae !rogram
eauations hae aso "emonstrate" !ayoffs in cient "eeo!ment7 #o3 satisfaction7 an"
or+!ace reforms. The
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information a3out gen"er e?uity an" the reate" "ifficuty of !roing gen"er 3ias. Ironicay
enough7 current ia3iity rues "eter some organi:ations from com!iing "ata that might ay
foun"ations for se/ "iscrimination asuits. To neutrai:e this "eterrent an" enhance
accounta3iity7 ea"ing e/!erts hae recommen"e" re?uiring em!oyers oer a certain si:e to
"iscose "ata concerning recruitment7 retention7 an" !romotion. 9ther countries hae
effectiey im!ose" re?uirements aong these ines. The aaia3iity of such information for
6merican em!oyers ou" ma+e it easier for them to 3enchmar+ their !erformance reatie
to other simiary situate" organi:ations an" for sta+eho"ers to ho" !oor !erformers
res!onsi3e.
6nother crucia strategy is to increase anti"iscrimination enforcement resources. In the
nite" States7 neither of the !rimary oersight 3o"ies7 the ?ua m!oyment 9!!ortunity
Commission or the e!artment of 'a3ors reie office for fe"era contractors7 has a"e?uate
ca!acity to monitor com!iance ith gen"er e?uity re?uirements. The same is generay true
of state commissions. Aet hen such agencies "o interene7 the resut is ty!icay a
significant im!roement in omens re!resentation in u!!er-ee !ositions. To increase the
fre?uency of enforcement efforts7 6merican agencies i nee" a""itiona financia su!!ort
an" other countries i nee" to strengthen their reme"ia structures. Those reforms are is
most i+ey to occur ony if a"ocates of omens rights e/ert greater !oitica !ressure.
Increase" !ressure is aso necessary concerning chi"care7 e"ercare7 !arenta eae7 an"
reate" !oicies. Such initiaties are necessary to a""ress the or+famiy conficts that often
"erai omen on ea"ershi! trac+s. ;or e/am!e7 e/!erience in uro!ean countries suggests
that offering men !ai" !arenta eae can increase their chi"rearing inoement an" that
access to ?uaity7 affor"a3e chi"care can increase omens a3or force !artici!ation.
Doeer7 these !oicies are not in themsees sufficient to secure gen"er e?uaity in famiy
o3igations an" ea"ershi! o!!ortunities. Com!rehensie reforms are essentia to re"uce
or+ famiy conficts an" to encourage greater num3ers of men to assume su3stantia
caregiing res!onsi3iities.
P%o)o%2(o!#3 R)%&!2#2(o!
9ne reform that ou" ma+e others more i+ey is to ensure omens greater !oitica
re!resentation. To that en"7 a groing minority of countries is em!oying ountary or egay
man"ate" ?uotas for omen in !u3ic office. Such !referentia !oicies ta+e a ariety of
forms. The most i"es!rea" 3ut ty!icay east effectie strategies are ountary ?uotas or
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targets esta3ishe" 3y !oitica !arties to s!ecify the num3er of can"i"ates that shou" 3e
femae. The most effectie 3ut east common a!!roach is to set asi"e a certain num3er of
!ositions for omen through constitutiona or statutory re?uirements. 6n interme"iate
a!!roach is to man"ate that a certain !ro!ortion of can"i"ates 3e omen. Man"atory
strategies o3iousy or+ 3est in eectora systems that em!oy !ro!ortiona re!resentationL
?uotas for eecte" officias are not easiy im!emente" in countries i+e the nite" States7
hich rey on singe-mem3er "istricts.
The is"om of such !referentia treatment is su3#ect to consi"era3e controersy. 9!!onents
caim that ?uotas ioate meritocratic !rinci!es an" stigmati:e femae re!resentaties as ess
?uaifie" than their mae counter!arts. *ro3ems are com!oun"e" here the !oo of omen
ith a"e?uate cre"entias is insufficient7 an" those seecte" are reegate" to !ositions of east
infuence. ;urther "ifficuties arise hen mae !arty ea"ers seect omen ho are not
a"ocates on omens issues. In 3oth cases7 the resut may 3e a system in hich omens
increase" !resence ma+es more of a sym3oic than su3stantie "ifference.
Aet in many nations7 some form of !referentia treatment is !refera3e to the aternatie7 at
east in the short term. In countries here omen ma+e u! at east haf of the eectorate7 they
"esere more than the to+en re!resentation that tra"itiona eectora !rocesses hae !ro"uce".
If ?uotas a!!ear inconsistent ith meritocratic !rinci!es7 so too "oes the o"- 3oy netor+
that they re!ace. *referentia treatment is a fact of ife in !oitics as e +no itL the ony
issue is hich grou!s are 3eing !referre" an" ho o!eny. 6t the ery east7 efforts to
increase the re!resentation of omen enhance the egitimacy of "emocratic institutions as
e as "iersifies the !oo from hich ea"ers are chosen. If that !oo incu"es too fe
?uaifie" omen7 the 3est res!onse is to im!roe the recruitment7 mentoring7 an" training
!rocesses. To 3e sure7 man"atory ?uotas are not the anser for eery !oitica system7 3ut
fin"ing ays to increase gen"er 3aance shou" 3e a !riority.
Simiar !oints cou" 3e ma"e a3out !ro!ortiona re!resentation in other conte/ts.
Consi"era3e attention has focuse" on Jorays re?uirement that omen constitute 40
!ercent of the 3oar"s of "irectors of !u3icy one" or !u3icy tra"e" com!anies. Such
re?uirements are im!ausi3e in nations i+e the nite" States7 here a ma#ority of the
eectorate is o!!ose" to ?uotas in most 3usiness settings. But een in these countries7 there is
often sufficient su!!ort for gen"er e?uity to ma+e some form of ountary !referentia
treatment acce!ta3e.
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P%o8&&(o!#3, S2#:'o3$%, #!$ P53(; I!2%&2 O%#!(#2(o!&
There are aso a ariety of strategies that !rofessiona an" !u3ic interest organi:ations can!ursue to !romote an" !re!are omen for ea"ershi! an" to encourage other grou!s to "o the
same. Jationa7 state7 an" oca entities can foo the ea" of organi:ations such as Catayst
an" the 6merican Bar 6ssociation Commission on %omen in the *rofession that hae
shocase" mo"e !oicies an" 3est !ractice stan"ar"s. *rofessiona an" sta+eho"er
organi:ations can aso monitor em!oyers !rogress an" enist their commitment to s!ecific
gen"er-e?uity goas an" timeta3es. Together ith !rofessiona schoos an" omens
organi:ations7 these !rofessiona associations can aso !roi"e more training7 mentoring7 an"
e"ucationa !rograms on "iersity-reate" issues an" can o33y for !u3ic !oicy reforms.
In a""ition7 organi:ations that !u3ish in"e/es for sociay res!onsi3e inesting an"
cor!orate socia res!onsi3iity shou" incu"e measures of gen"er e?uity. 9ny a fe
!u3ications no incu"e information aong these ines7 "es!ite ei"ence that omen are
intereste" in receiing it. 6n thica Inestment esearch Serice surey foun" that ma#ority
omen ant their !ension fun"s to faor com!anies ith goo" recor"s on e?ua o!!ortunity.
To ma+e that !ossi3e7 3etter information nee"s to 3e aaia3e. More organi:ations shou"
foo the ea" of the Caert %omens *rinci!es7 the first go3a cor!orate co"e of con"uct
focusing on gen"er e?uity. Com!anies that acce!t these *rinci!es agree to im!ement an"
re!ort on !roactie !oicies "esigne" to eiminate se/-3ase" "iscrimination an" to recruit
omen for u!!er-ee manageria !ositions. The +ey re!orting re?uirements s!ecifie" in
these *rinci!es shou" 3ecome !art of the stan"ar" criteria for measuring cor!orate socia
res!onsi3iity.
E$5;#2(o!#3 I!&2(252(o!&
niersities in genera7 an" 3usiness7 !rofessiona7 an" !u3ic !oicy schoos in !articuar7
cou" "o more to coney the im!ortance of "iersity an" to mo"e the strategies necessary to
achiee it. 6t a minimum7 that i re?uire greater integration of "iersity-reate" issues in
core curricua an" greater efforts to a""ress the un"erre!resentation of omen in ea"ershi!
roes. *rofessiona an" MB6 !rograms cou" aso increase research su!!ort for schoars7 an"
continuing e"ucation for !ractitioners7 on gen"er e?uity issues. ecision ma+ers nee" to
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+no much more a3out hat or+s in the or"7 an" e"ucationa institutions hae a uni?ue
o!!ortunity an" corres!on"ing res!onsi3iity to he! fi the ga!.
CONCLUSION
()t has long sin"e "ome to my attention that people of a""omplishment rarely stayed
*a"k and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.+
inor Smith
It has come to our attention in !re!aring this oerie that more an" more omen share
Smiths concusion. ;eer omen are content to stay 3ac+7 an" those ho a"ance are
changing the an"sca!e of ea"ershi!. The essays that foo are inten"e" to assist that
strugge. The chaenges are su3stantia7 3ut so too are the taents of omen ea"ers an" the
men ho su!!ort them.
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CASE STUD*
WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN MICRO FINANCE/ ISSUES AND
C+ALLENGES
INTRODUCTION
Jineties as a "ifficut "eca"e for 3oth the ur3an an" rura !oor omen as omen ere
ra!i"y osing their ieihoo" 3ase "ue to structura a"#ustment !rogrammes an" macro
economic sta3ii:ation !oicies. e"uction in 3u"getary aocation for socia sector
(!riati:ation of e"ucation an" heath as e as "ismanting of !u3ic "istri3ution system)
an" !riati:ation of essentia suria nee"s ma"e ies of !oor omen un3eara3e. raught
in seera !arts of In"ia an" i3erai:ation of agrarian mar+et a""e" fue to fire ith
increasing num3ers of farmers suici"es an" staration "eaths. It as in this 3ac+"ro!7 that
omens ea"ershi! in microfinance thro Sef De! ,rou!s (SD,s) came to the fore to
!roi"e safety net to the !oorest of the !oor omen initiay in the four Southern States-
Harnata+a7 6n"hra *ra"esh7 Heraa an" Tamina"u an" "uring the 21 stcentury a oer the
country.
The J Commission on Status of %omen in 200F a"ise" the ea"ers of the mem3er
countries to fuy ma/imi:e the roe of7 as e as ensure access to7 microfinance toos7
incu"ing microcre"it for !oerty era"ication7 generation of em!oyment an" es!eciay for
the em!oerment of omen7 encourage the strengthening of e/isting an" emerging
microcre"it institutions an" their ca!acities7 incu"ing through the su!!ort of internationa
financia institutions7 an" ensure that 3est !ractices are i"ey "isseminate". Microfinance is
!erceie" as an effectie strategy to reach the Miennium eeo!ment ,oas. (i:a3eth et
a7 2008).
Micro finance through Sef-De! ,rou!s (SD,s) has !roe" to 3e a strategic measure for
organi:ing omen in grou!s an" !romoting saings an" thrift ha3its to gain access to
institutiona cre"it for their socio-economic "eeo!ment an" em!oerment. (%C7 2005).
It em!oers omen since it instis a !erce!tion of strength7 sef reiance an" confi"ence
hen the !oerty tra! is 3ro+en.
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sustaine" manner7 of reguating finances7 an" 3eing mutuay accounta3e7 is in itsef
!ro#ecte" as em!oering. 6n im!ortant "imension of SD,s is the !eer !ressure7 hich the
mem3ers of a grou! e/ert amongst themsees7 hich acts as a su3stitute for forma coatera
in that it is ta+en as the guarantee for oan re!ayment.= (eshmu+h-ana"ie7 200). To
im!ortant features of this mo"e are sef seection of grou! mem3ers that 3y!asses the
a"erse seection !ro3em an" !eer monitoring tac+ing mora ha:ar" !ro3em (Stigit:7
1GG0).
This sector re?uires cre"it !oicies that ea" to the creation of !ro"uctie !rocesses an" assets
an" sustaina3e institutiona "eeo!ment. Most of the SD,s continue to engage in tra"itiona
stereo-ty!e"7 o return actiities an" the fun"amenta ieihoo" concerns of the rura !oor
omen remain argey un-a""resse" (e!ort7 200F). Nuestions are as+e" 3y omens stu"ies
schoars>
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WOMENS LEADERS+IP AND COMMUNIT* ISSUES, MOBILIATION AND
INSTITUTIONS
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R#2 o8 I!2%&2
In the 3eginning7 most of the SD%,s ere charging 5R rate of interest !er month. Though
they acce!te" that @0R rate of interest !er annum as high7 the grou! nee"e" reoing fun"
in the conte/t of ess saing. 9nce they coecte" enough amounts7 they starte" re"ucing the
rate of interest to 8 R an" in some %SD,s een 2 R. In the meetings7 many omen
e/!resse" that 3ur"en of interest as too high. The omen hae 3een 3orroing money for
aaiing e"ucation of chi"ren7 !etty 3usiness an" meeting the e/!enses of heath serices an"
marriages. The mem3ers fee that the %SD,s hich hae ac?uire" Sarna ayanti ,ram
Saro#gar Ao#ana (S,SA) oans shou" re"uce the rate of interest to 1.5 R.
S5))o%2( Ro3 o8 B#!:& #!$ o2'% F(!#!;(#3 I!&2(252(o!
In 200@7 Sa+ti %SD,s ere su!!orte" 3y seera micro-finance institutions an" the
nationai:e" 3an+s. State Ban+ of Mysore7 i#aya Ban+7 In"ian Ban+7 Ban+ of In"ia7
Coo!eratie Ban+7 Harnata+a Ban+7 istrict Cre"it Coo!eratie Ban+7 Canara Ban+7
,rameen Ha!ataru ere !roi"ing oans to the %SD,s. Bri"ge ;oun"ation as charging
18.5 R rate of interest hich as foun" to 3e too high. The nationai:e" 3an+s ere charging
G R an" coo!eratie 3an+s ere charging 12 R rate of interest.
Harnata+a r3an Infrastructure eeo!ment ;inance Cor!oration (HI;C) gets oan from
%or" Ban+ an" 6sian eeo!ment Ban+. 6s there is socia"eeo!mentgen"er com!onent
in their !rogrammes7 the matching grants ere gien for construction of o-cost toiets.
Sa+ti ha" a su!erisory roe. Moreoer7 Sa+ti as as+e" to con"uct ea"ershi!7 heath an"
gen"er training. ;rom the financia assistance !roi"e" 3y HI;C Sa+ti forme" FF SD,s in
the ur3an sums7 out of them 44 %SD,s are constitute" 3y the !oor muslim omen.
eoing fun" s. 5000 each as gien to 50 %SD,s an" 20 SD,s ere gien the
reoing fun" of s. 20000 each.
8G
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CASE STUD* OF MASUM, PUNE
M6SM starte" the %omens Sef-De! Saings (SD,s) ,rou!s *arner Boc+ of *une
"istrict in 1GGF to initiate a saings an" cre"it !rogramme for rura omen ith an aim to
strengthen the economic sef reiance of rura omen7 em!oer omen through creating
access to cre"it an" motiate them to gra"uay 3ui" their on resources 3ase.
Wom!&& R&o5%; D3o)m!2 P%o%#mm WRDC < MASUM
Starte" in 1GG1 in Mashiras an" Ma"i iages %C as mo"ee" in ine ith
Banga"esh ,rameen Ban+. Currenty7 it has 5000 mem3ers an" coers 1 iages. In this
!rogramme meant for omen7 @ to 10 omen from the same neigh3ourhoo" form a grou!
an" 3ecome mem3ers of $,treedhan . ach grou! seects a name an" aso eects a
chair!erson an" secretary. %omen hae to sae at east ten ru!ees !er month. These saings
earn an interest of 5 R !er annum an" the mem3er is free to ith"ra her saings at any
gien !oint in time. ;or eigi3iity for oan of s. 10007 omen nee" to sae for three
months. This amount increases in the su3se?uent years. The oan is aaia3e at a o interest
rate of 12 R !er annum an" ithout any coatera. 9ny to mem3ers nee" to sign as
guarantors. 'arger oans of s. 107000 an" a3oe are ma"e aaia3e for !ro"uction !ur!oses
ony to mem3ers ho hae sae" money for three years an" hae ha" a goo" oan re!ayment
recor". The initia oan amount has 3een "ei3eratey +e!t sma to ao omen to manage
fun"s an" more im!ortanty to "issua"e men from ta+ing un"ue interest in the scheme.
,rou! meetings are he" in the neigh3ourhoo" on a fi/e" "ate eery month. To oca
omen in each iage faciitate the grou! meetings. The grou! mem3ers "eci"e ho shou"
receie the oan in the monthy meeting. 6 the monetary transactions such as "is3ursement
of oans7 issuing of recei!ts an" a entries in the !ass3oo+ are ma"e "uring this meeting. The
grou! meetings are aso use" to "isseminate information on arious socia an" heath issues.
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BAC+AT GATWOMENS SELF-+ELP SAINGS GROUPS
In 1GGF M6SM starte" SD,s in *arner 3oc+7 ith the aim to ensure the mem3ers a s!ace
to interact freey ith one another in the !rocess of saing money from their earnings. 6t
!resent7 it has 00 mem3ers an" coers iages.
6 ,-# is forme" hen 15-20 omen come together7 form a grou!7 eect office 3earers
(!resi"ent7 secretary an" treasurer) from among themsees an" o!en an account in the name
of the grou!. M6SM trains office 3earer of SD,s to maintain in"ii"ua forms an"
!ass3oo+s of a the mem3ers of the sef-he! grou!s. These grou!s are entite" to oan
faciities from the 3an+ after the grou! com!etes to years. In the interim !erio" the grou!
resorts to interna en"ing ith its on accumuate" saings an" at times M6SM en"s
money to the grou! at the terms an" con"itions that are in accor"ance ith those of the 3an+.
The grou! in turn en"s this money to its mem3ers at the interest rate of 2 R !er month.
,eneray oans to the amount of s. 107000 are gien to in"ii"ua mem3ers. Saings o"ge"
ith the 3an+ earn interest at the current rate of interest offere" 3y the 3an+.
The grou!s meet once a month to com!ete the arious transactions of saings7 re!ayment
an" fresh oan "is3ursement. They are a3e to in"e!en"enty maintain the !ass 3oo+ an"
e"ger entries an" manage the accounts of their grou!. The monthy meetings aso !roi"e an
o!!ortunity to "isseminate information an" hae "iscussions on arious heath an" socia
issues affecting the community.
The reasons for aaiing the oan are arie". These ou" incu"e !aying for me"ica
e/!enses7 !ayment of o" high interest oans7 !urchase of 3oo+s7 cothes for chi"ren7
!ayment of e/am fees of chi"ren or functions i+e marriage an" reigious ceremonies7
!urchasing seing machines or e"ing machines an" starting sma 3usiness or inesting in
im!roing their agricuture.
The res!onse of the omen ith reference to their oan re!ayment has 3een consistenty
!ositie in a iages. The recoering of oans on an aerage is G@R. Socia !ressure has
3een an effectie metho" of recoery from iing "efauters.
These to case-stu"ies refect the genera !attern of em!oerment of omen thro micro-
finance in the SD, moement in South 6sia (The++e+ara7 200F).
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GLOBAL EPERIENCES OF MULTIFACETED DEELOPMENT OF WOMEN
,o3ay aso7 em!oering im!act of micro finance has 3een "ocumente" 3y many
researchers. Ma+ing a strong case for microfinance actiities7 Dashmi (2004) cites the
fooing em!irica ei"ence in su!!ort of micro cre"it>
In Eim3a3e cients ere a3e to maintain consum!tion ees in the face of rising
foo" costs. /!erience shos that this im!act on !oerty aeiation intensifies the
onger cients stay ith a gien !rogram7 thus reinforcing the 3enefits of continuing in
the !rogram.
CC (Cre"ito Con "ucacion ura) in Boiia foun" that incomes of to-thir"s
of its cients ha" increase" after #oining the !rogram.
Cients of B6C (Banga"esh ura 6"ancement Committee) ho staye" in the
!rogram for more than four years increase" househo" e/!enses 3y 2 !ercent an"
assets 3y 112 !ercent.
SD6 (Society for De!ing 6a+ening ura *oor through "ucation) in In"ia
"ocumente" that F5 !ercent of its cients ho !artici!ate" for onger !erio"s sa
significant im!roements in their economic e-3eing.
9ne of the first things !oor !eo!e "o ith their ne income from microenter!rise is
inest in their chi"rens e"ucation. B6C (Banga"esh ura 6"ancement
Committee)7 S%6 (Sef- m!oye" %omens 6ssociation7 In"ia) an" Sae the
Chi"ren (Don"uras) sa that cients chi"ren ere more i+ey to go to schoo7 stay
in schoo onger an" hae oer "ro!-out rates. ;amiies ith access to microfinance
serices hae 3etter heath than those ho "o not.
WOMENS LEADERS+IP IN ORGANIATION DEELOPMENT,
GOERNANCE AND +UMAN RESOURCES
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Micro finance institutions hae use" seera metho"s of mentoring to eoe omens
ea"ershi! for "eeo!ment of organi:ation7 efficient goernance an" human resource
"eeo!ment.
E)o&5% T%()
Most %SD, mem3ers in the a3oe mentione" grou!s hae e/!resse" that they gaine" ot of
+noe"ge 3y their e/!osure from other successfu mo"es of SD,s. Hasturi from Sa+ti ha"
isite" 6I In"ia in harma!uri in Tamina"u an" got ins!iration for ocationa training of
omen in unconentiona areas such as masonry an" construction or+. She aso got
o!!ortunity to atten" or+sho!s on 6IS aareness7 gen"er training7 ega rights an" heath
issues.
N$ 8o% o;#2(o!#3 T%#(!(!/
Micro ;inance mo"e of Mahia 6rthi+ i+as Mahaman"a (M6IM)7 ,oernment of
Maharashtra gies the highest !remium to ca!acity 3ui"ing thro ocationa training. It
!romotes car!entry7 !rinting 3usiness7 motor in"ing7 cyce-sho!7 3uying an" seing of
!a""y7 ma+ing eather goo"s7 3am3oo craft7 running hair cutting saoons an" fishing among
%SD,s (Basaraf7 200F).
%SD, mem3ers of Sa+ti in Aerhai7 rura Bangore "eman"e" that they shou" 3e su!!orte"
to start ST 3ooth as there as none in their iage. The %SD, mem3ers in Harnata+a7
6.*.7 Heraa7 Tamina"u an" Maharashtra are traine" in "eaershi! of !etro an" "iese oi7
management of fair-!rice sho!s (ration-sho!s)7 rea"y-ma"e garment sho!s an" stationary
sho!s7 running of four mi7 !ro"uction of soa! an" "etergent ashing !o"er an" e/traction
an" sae of neeman"-onge oi from see"s.
%SD,s shou" organi:e ocationa training courses in the areas of high em!oyment
o!!ortunities. %SD, mem3ers can 3e traine" to 3ecome !um3er7 fitter7 turner7 e"er7
eectrician7 car!enter7 mason7 four mi o!erator so on an" so forth.
A!(m#2$ D(&;5&&(o! o! DoH%< #!$ D;3(!(! J5!(3 S R#2(o
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In the fie" tri! to Harnata+a an" Maharashtra hen e as+e" the %SD, mem3ers hether
they ou" gie oan to omen ho ou" s!en" the amount for organi:ing "ory for
"aughters e""ing or for scanning of foetus to "etermine se/ an" resort to se/ seectie
a3ortion. 6 of them sai" that as they ere in cose touch ith each mem3er7 they cou"
easiy ma+e out their moties. ,eneray omen "o not a!!roach SD,s for such anti-omen
!ur!oses as Sa+ti has organi:e" seera aareness generation !rogrammes on the su3#ect. In
!rinci!e7 the Sa+ti %SD,s "o not su!!ort any causes that are "etrimenta to omens
interest.
P3('2 o8 # D&%2$ Wom#!
Bhagyamma7 a mem3er of Jisarga Man"aa from Aerehai iage of amnagar Tau+a
share" an e/!erience of su!!ort !roi"e" 3y the %SD, to a oman ho ha" an inter-caste
oe marriage. 6fter she ha" one "aughter an" as !regnant once again her hus3an" "eserte"
her. iagers ere !ressuri:ing her to go for a3ortion. But the SD, res!ecte" her "ecision
an" su!!orte" her at the time of "eiery.
D#3(! H(2' H(8-#2(!, (#m< #!$ o2'% R&2%(;2(o!&/
Mayamma7 a man"a mem3er from ogi o""i narrate" a case of "omestic ioence in hich
%SD, interene". %hen hus3an" "i" come for "iscussion ith the %SD, mem3ers7 they
contacte" a ayer an" issue" a ega notice. The ictims mother as the %SD, mem3er.
The %SD, !ressuri:e" the !arents to see to it that he came for the "iscussion. De !romise"
that he ou" neer 3e ioent ith her.
Betu3ee from Aashshini Man"aa from Dai#ur Mohoa of amanagara ton share" her
e/!eriences regar"ing !reaence of 3igamous marriages in the area.
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home. arier7 if there as a community reate" issue7 e ha" to "e!en" on men. Jo e can
han"e crisis situation ith courage an" confi"ence.=
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There hae 3een re!orts from seera states that %SD,s are concerne" ony a3out !rofit7
they are east 3othere" a3out the ong-term goas an" o3#ecties of em!oerment of omen.
Many %SD,s gie oans for "egra"ing !ractices such as "ory7 casteism7 communa 3ias
an" scanning for se/ seection of foetus an" se/ seectie a3ortions. Many actiists hae
aege" that %SD,s are !er!etuating casteism7 communaism an" !atriarchy. In such a
situation7 in the !ass3oo+ an" 3oo+s of account it must 3e ceary state" that %SD,s ou"
su!!ort ony those causes7 hich contri3ute" toar"s secuar humanism an" omens safety7
security7 "ignity an" em!oerment. %hie "iscussing these issues ith mem3ers of Sa+ti7
seera mem3ers res!on"e" 3y saying that they +no each an" eery "etai of their mem3ers
an" ou" neer gie oans for any !ur!ose "etrimenta to omens cause. If anything ent
rong7 they ou" imme"iatey come to +no an" ta+e necessary ste!s. But their %SD,
!ass3oo+s ha" not mentione" the goas7 o3#ecties an" "os an" "onts. The mem3ers agree"
that %SD,s nee"e" Nitiniyamai.e. Co"e of Con"uct.
R(&2%#2(o! o8 WS+G&/
Some omen ea"ers of the %SD,s fet that registration 3rings recognition an" aso7 if their
%SD,s ere registere" they ou" 3enefit from the goernment schemes. But the rest
retorte" 3ac+ 3y saying that neither for oans from the financia institutions nor for S,SA7 the
%SD,s ere re?uire" to register. Moreoer7 if they register7 the goernment interference
increases. Some of them aso sai" that Societys egistration 9fficias "eman" 3ri3e. ery
year they hae to su3mit au"ite" statement of account7 annua re!ort an" get renea of SD,
registration.
SGS*
The mem3ers e/!resse" that their %SD,s manage" to get oans un"er S,SA "ue to !ro!er
!a!er or+ 3y Sa+ti. The mem3ers sai" that none of them ha" to 3ri3e the officias. They sai"
that uni+e the em!oerment of men7 the em!oerment of omen is rarey an in"ii"ua
!henomenon.
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resut7 e 3eiee that em!oering omen7 i em!oer In"ia.= (i3huti & e"mani7
2005)
6 uni?ue e/!erience of Mann eshi Mahia Saha+ari Ban+ 'imite" hich has use"
technoogy (SIM car" an" IT ena3e" serices) for em!oerment of omen reeae" that
een in rura settings7 technoogy can 3e use" in sur!risingy innoatie ays to im!roe
ies. The 3enefits of technoogy use are tofo" - ies are im!roe" an" omen gain the
confi"ence an" s+is to ta+e a more actie roe in society. 6erre" Chetana ,aa Sinha7
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3eneficiaries in terms of see"s7 manure7 !estici"es7 !i!es & !um!s7 tractor ith troey7
thresher7 !ough7 eighing scae etc through the !ro#ect. (J6%97 200@)
.
The eenth ;ie Aear *an has !romise" construction of grain storage faciities for the
iagers to 3e faciitate" 3y %SD,s an" states that a ,rain Ban+ ou" 3e esta3ishe" here
the omen ho are !artici!ating in the an" easing arrangements ou" 3e contri3uting
agree" amount of grains for the community use.
i+a!a in Tia+a"a7 Jarma"a "istrict7 ,u#arat has "one commen"a3e or+ in the "irection
of economic em!oerment of rura omen thro SD,s 3y using the too of !artici!atory
action research !ro#ect. 6fter haing a "etaie" 3aseine "one at the !ro#ect iage7 the !ro#ect
i"entifie" aroun" 81 acres of an" hich as mortgage" 3y sma an" margina farmers.
Though the famiies 3eing ega oner of the an" 3ecame "e facto an"ess 3ecause they
ere inoe" in conceae" tenancy. The !ro#ect through SD, fe"eration !roi"e" them a
reoing cor!us to get 3ac+ their mortgage" an" ith fooing !recon"itions O
;amiy ha" to agree to the !recon"ition to aai the oan to register #oint tite in the
name of ife an" hus3an" an" hereer an" tite as in the name of sons then the
name of "aughter in a ha" to 3e registere".
'oans ere e/ten"e" in the name of omen e/cusiey.
The oan as e/ten"e" e/cusiey to 3ring 3ac+ the mortgage" an".
Singe omen ere gien 1st!riority 3oth in sma an" ho"ers as e as an"ess
category.
Jon SD, mem3ers ha" to 3ecome !art of SD, after !aying an e?ua amount to other
mem3ers in the SD,.
'an" ho"ing more than an acre !er famiy as re"istri3ute" to the an"ess an" smaho"ers as ong as the oan amounts are re!ai".
Jo interest as charge" in the 1styear for the oan e/ten"e". ;rom secon" year
su3se?uenty the farmers hae to !ay 3ac+ haf of the !ro"uce.
The famiies are not aoe" again to mortgage the an" for marriage "ory !ur!ose.
In the 1styear aroun" 25 famiies accesse" the oan an" a!!ie" for the #oint tites in the an"
recor" to the oca iage ee reenue officia. Currenty7 the an" has 3een transferre" in
the #oint name of men an" omen of a the 25 famiies. Though the scae of !ro#ect is ery
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sma 3ut neertheess the e/am!e confirms that if the !oicies are ma"e incusie then at the
oca community ee7 a !rocess may 3e faciitate" to hae a #oint onershi! of an". (Mittra7
200F)
han ;oun"ation7 a grassroots "eeo!ment organisation ensures finances for agricutura
infrastructure through micro finance in South In"ia. (Jaren"ra7 200F). It starte" microfinance
grou!s in Sirumaniyen"a in amanatha!uram "istrict in Tamina"u ith the focus on
fertii:er an" manage" to get the fertii:er at oer rate than mar+et rate7 o3taining the su!!y
at the "oorste! an" easy aaia3iity of cre"it faciities. 6 mem3ers of microfinance grou!s
insure their ife 3efore cre"it in+age. 6s many as 2724@ mem3ers hae insure" their ies
un"er Bira Sun 'ife insurance an" 8@ mem3ers hae insure" ith 'ICs anashree Bhima
Ao#ana scheme. 6nother 3enefit of microfinance is that mem3ers are a3e to react ?uic+y to
emergency situations an" mitigate oss. uring fash foo" in Ma"urai "istrict7 microfinance
grou!s use" the common fun"s to imme"iatey cose tan+ 3reaches. Saings hae aso
im!roe". Si/ microfinance grou!s in *on!a"hir+oo"am in Hanchee!uram "istrict no hae
a tota saing of s. 1.GF a+h. han ;oun"ation is aso or+ing toar"s "eficit rainfa
insurance for the farmers in rain-fe" agricuture areas.
GENDER EUALIT* AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
SD,s esta3ishe" 3y Stree Mu+ti Sangathana (SMS) consciousy focus on omens
i3eration from crue !atriarcha forces o!erating among !oorest of the !oor omen "oing
stigmati:e" or+ of recycing of gar3age in the oest rung of economic hierarchy in the
metro!oitan centers such as Mum3ai an" *une.
So;(#3 m)oH%m!2
SMS has "e"icate" itsef to the %omens Cause. It has "eeo!e" ot of materia using
arious au"io isua forms oer the years such as theater (its famous !ay Muagi Eai Do or
Beti 6ayi Dai)7 songs7 Cs. *oster e/hi3itions etc. on arious issues !ertaining to omen an"
chi"ren. 6 this as e/tensiey use" hie con"ucting arious aareness !rograms in the
communities7 SMS aso use" the materia "eeo!e" 3y other organi:ations i+e *ratham7
Tatha!i7 Institute of Death Management7 *acho" etc. for this !ur!ose. SMS reguary
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oorgani:es aareness an" ea"ershi! "eeo!ment cam!s (8@ Sessions) for the SD, grou!
ea"ers ith many in!uts such as ?uaity7 Soi" %aste Management7 Death7 Im!ortance of
"ucation7 %or+ Cuture7 *..S.7 6trocities7 ffectie *arenting etc.
G!$% S!&(2( #!$ E!(%o!m!2 F%(!$3< E;o!om(; Em)oH%m!2 o8 Wom!
SMS sta3ishe" to training centres in M-ar" (Chem3ur)7 for training!arisar haginis
(nironment Sisters) in 3io com!osting7 ermicuture an" gar"ening. 800 omen hae
3een traine" in manure an" gar"ening techni?ues so far. 6s a resut of this 250 omen hae
gaine" meaningfu em!oyment.
6s a trainer an" faciitator SMS secure" or+ o!!ortunities for Soi" %aste Coection an"
Treatment in ma#or !u3ic an" !riate sector housing coonies an" office !remises i:. Tata
*oer7 T.C.S.7 .B.I.7 In"ian Jay7 BST7 *fi:er7 CIC97 MC,M7 B6C7 Somaiya so on an"
so forth. 250 traine" *arisar Bhaginis successfuy 3rought near :ero-aste status in these
coonies7 cam!uses an" aso in the sma housing com!e/es s!rea" oer 18 ar"s in Mum3ai.
In ast 2 years or+ has s!rea" to Jai Mum3ai7 Hayan7 om3iii an" no in Thane.
6t %S; 20047 *BS too+ oer the contract of coection an" "is!osa of aste an" ma"e a
si:ea3e !rofit.
In Joem3er 2004 aong ith SMS e/!erts7 *arisar Bhaginis !artici!ate" in training the staff7
or+ers an" resi"ents of I*C' Tonshi! in Jagothane (ist. aiga"). To"ay I*C' Jagothane is
first *etrochemica Tonshi! in In"ia achieing near :ero aste status.
SMS as faciitator he!e" *arisar 3haginis to register si/ serice-coo!eraties7 50 omen each
un"er the Coo!eratie act for 3usiness entre!reneurshi!.
SMS is one of the coneners of the fooing netor+s
1 SH#;''#/ 6iance of %aste!ic+ers in In"ia
6 AWM> 6iance on %aste Management. (Jationa 6iance of organi:ations or+ing on
aste issues)
? MMAF/ Maharashtra Microfinance 6ction ;orum (6iance of organi:ations or+ing
ith sef he! (Micro finance) grou!s)
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E!(%o!m!2#3 &5&2#(!#(3(2