Being a women in aid and development

[Fiona Davidson]

The Guardian pubished an article on women working in Silicon Valley. Check it out here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/oct/05/women-work-life-balance...

It contains many interesting observations on how women act in a male dominated industry. I'm interested to know how applicable you all feel this is to the aid and development world? And what any particular differences are? Are women and men equal in the industry? Can they act the same?

 

[M.]

I think in this industry gender stereotypes apply just as in any other, but in my opinion a bigger problem here is incompetence, regardless of gender. there are many many  women in development and relief aid. too many, if you ask me (Im a a woman). but they are seldom in managerial positions, mirroring the other industries. and when they are, they are frequently terrible incompetent tyrans. Why? was that the only way to assert themselves as powerful in  amale dominated environment? or are they just insecure and immature? in fact if I think twice, I have to say bad aid management is as frequent as ignoring of genders....

but beyond this, showing assertiveness or establishing limits ("male" attitudes) is considered as a threat to mangement, whether this is  man or a woman. a woman that is assertive is considered arrogant or even a threat, a man who's assertive is considered mature and self-knowing. In this industry as in any other.

however these days I find myself wishing for my next boss (if I have ot bear that) to be a man...