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We need more women speaking on public platforms We need more women speaking on public platforms
(4 months later)
Last week I was watching a highly articulate female economist at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh expound on development issues in Africa when the person in the neighbouring seat nudged me. "What do you think of her outfit?"Last week I was watching a highly articulate female economist at the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh expound on development issues in Africa when the person in the neighbouring seat nudged me. "What do you think of her outfit?"
I'd already clocked the fact that the economist was wearing a figure-hugging dress and very high heels, but the question irritated me because people rarely comment on what men wear on public platforms.I'd already clocked the fact that the economist was wearing a figure-hugging dress and very high heels, but the question irritated me because people rarely comment on what men wear on public platforms.
When I was a TV news presenter, most of the comments I received from the public, and indeed my own managers, were about the way I looked. Never mind that I have two postgraduate degrees and over 25 years experience working all over the world as a journalist in print, radio and TV: had I thought about getting my hair straightened or wearing more green?When I was a TV news presenter, most of the comments I received from the public, and indeed my own managers, were about the way I looked. Never mind that I have two postgraduate degrees and over 25 years experience working all over the world as a journalist in print, radio and TV: had I thought about getting my hair straightened or wearing more green?
This is the reality that women face when we put ourselves on a public platform. We know that our appearance will be scrutinised and commented on, and it's one reason women are so reluctant to speak in public. Look at the appalling abuse Prof Mary Beard had to endure on the internet after her appearance on Question Time.This is the reality that women face when we put ourselves on a public platform. We know that our appearance will be scrutinised and commented on, and it's one reason women are so reluctant to speak in public. Look at the appalling abuse Prof Mary Beard had to endure on the internet after her appearance on Question Time.
One of the most impressive aspects of the TED conference was that almost half the speakers were women. Compare that with the number of women on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.One of the most impressive aspects of the TED conference was that almost half the speakers were women. Compare that with the number of women on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Last year the Guardian surveyed the programme over four weeks and found that fewer than one in five of the contributors and reporters were women. When asked why they didn't expand their contacts lists a little, BBC bosses pointed out that female MPs only make up 22% of parliament, and that the programme simply reflected the gender split of those in power. But that doesn't explain why 77% of the contributors to Radio 4's A Point of View, the Sunday morning essay programme, were men. A similar situation exists in the US, where a survey of the country's seven leading speakers' agencies found women made up just 20% of people on their books.Last year the Guardian surveyed the programme over four weeks and found that fewer than one in five of the contributors and reporters were women. When asked why they didn't expand their contacts lists a little, BBC bosses pointed out that female MPs only make up 22% of parliament, and that the programme simply reflected the gender split of those in power. But that doesn't explain why 77% of the contributors to Radio 4's A Point of View, the Sunday morning essay programme, were men. A similar situation exists in the US, where a survey of the country's seven leading speakers' agencies found women made up just 20% of people on their books.
I don't think this is a simple case of sexism. The fact is that women are underrepresented in certain professions. That makes them harder to find – and once invited to speak, women are far more likely to say no.I don't think this is a simple case of sexism. The fact is that women are underrepresented in certain professions. That makes them harder to find – and once invited to speak, women are far more likely to say no.
The reasons for this are complex. Female scientists and academics will often decline to speak publicly about their latest research breakthrough because they don't want to take all the credit for what was a team effort, and they'll then suggest a male colleague.The reasons for this are complex. Female scientists and academics will often decline to speak publicly about their latest research breakthrough because they don't want to take all the credit for what was a team effort, and they'll then suggest a male colleague.
I also believe women tend to underestimate their abilities. Many women won't take on a task unless they're 100% convinced they are qualified to do so. Men are far more likely to take the plunge and rely on their ability to bullshit their way through instead of saying I'm not ready yet or qualified enough.I also believe women tend to underestimate their abilities. Many women won't take on a task unless they're 100% convinced they are qualified to do so. Men are far more likely to take the plunge and rely on their ability to bullshit their way through instead of saying I'm not ready yet or qualified enough.
We see a similar pattern in the lack of women in boardrooms. Lord Davies's 2011 report set a target of 25% women on FTSE 100 boards by 2015. But he also said the onus was on companies to go out and find capable women and that not doing so was unacceptable.We see a similar pattern in the lack of women in boardrooms. Lord Davies's 2011 report set a target of 25% women on FTSE 100 boards by 2015. But he also said the onus was on companies to go out and find capable women and that not doing so was unacceptable.
June Cohen, a TED talk producer, says women need to be "smoked out". She puts a huge amount of work into persuading women to speak, and then mentoring and coaching them. When it comes to finding them, Cohen's tip is not to look for the CEO but the chief of staff or the number two, and quotes the example of Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer. Sandberg's 2010 TED talk formed the basis of her recent book, Lean In.June Cohen, a TED talk producer, says women need to be "smoked out". She puts a huge amount of work into persuading women to speak, and then mentoring and coaching them. When it comes to finding them, Cohen's tip is not to look for the CEO but the chief of staff or the number two, and quotes the example of Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer. Sandberg's 2010 TED talk formed the basis of her recent book, Lean In.
Let's not make this an exercise in politically correct box-ticking. Let's think about young girls, your nieces, daughters and granddaughters. We can't allow their only role models to be scantily clad pop stars or B-list celebrities whose only claim to fame is appearing on reality TV.Let's not make this an exercise in politically correct box-ticking. Let's think about young girls, your nieces, daughters and granddaughters. We can't allow their only role models to be scantily clad pop stars or B-list celebrities whose only claim to fame is appearing on reality TV.
We need to get powerful and inspiring women in the public eye so that the schoolgirls of today have something to aspire to. But it will take care and attention to coax those women out of the shadows.We need to get powerful and inspiring women in the public eye so that the schoolgirls of today have something to aspire to. But it will take care and attention to coax those women out of the shadows.
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