21ST CENTURY WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

The increase in female leaders has gained the attention of many people over the past few years, with more young women graduating from universities. Yet the number of female leaders is still remarkably low. There is no doubt that women face many challenges to get to leadership positions. In addition to the traditional role at home, stereotyping, and discrimination, women continue to face more obstacles due to gender-based assumptions.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• The influence of stereotyping men and women
• The advantages of having a female leadership style
• The reasons why women face discrimination
• The importance of women’s economic welfare
• The unique leadership challenges and opportunities faced by women today
• How successful women negotiate for what they need to be effective leaders

WOMEN IN CRISIS

Gender disparities are often highlighted and exacerbated during times of crises. This includes economic and political crises, environmental and natural disasters, war and conflict. During times of crises women remain more vulnerable than men. This can take place in domestic or migratory settings. Humanitarian activists play critical roles in human rights movements worldwide by bringing up the current issues that disproportionately affect women. Many organisations around the world dedicate their efforts to protect human rights, including gender equality, and end human rights abuses. Their mission can open the eyes of millions around the world and has brought hope and encouragement to many lives, especially to the young hearts.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• What are the main reasons women are in crisis?
• What are the challenges faced by women in migration and how do they overcome difficulties?
• What actions can NGOs take to end the current crises, and what is the level of women participation in their programmes?
• How can these initiatives shed light upon international movements that aim to protect human rights?
• How do we attract young people to participate in humanitarian activity?

BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING

The glass ceiling is the invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising to the highest ranks in a corporation. What you may not realise is just how pervasive the glass ceiling still is, even several years into the 21st century. In order to solve this issue, it is very important to first acknowledge its existence before preparing for the solution which may require radical change in the way people think and behave.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• Why is it particularly important to have more female representation on corporate boards?
• How can women appropriately and effectively support each other within an organisation?
• How can women best navigate perceptions around assertiveness, especially when women are judged more harshly than men for being out-spoken?
• What challenges face women who try to break the glass ceiling?
• What’s the most effective way men can play a role in promoting the development and success of their female colleagues?
• What does it take to be a successful woman in a historically male-dominated business?

RECOGNISING THE POWER AND LEADERSHIP OF GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN

Young women and girls are experts of their lived realities and are mobilising to advance positive change in new and exciting ways. We know that advancing women’s rights requires work across multiple generations and ac- tivists are advancing models that build on the work of our foremothers while also giving space to youth leaders to define and advance their priorities.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• Mapping leadership at different ages/stages of youth Leadership
• How can we include youth voice/presence in youth leadership?
• How do we support youth leadership development and where it’s taking place?

LIVE LOCAL, GO GLOBAL: BE A WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

There is no doubt that women in the Muslim world face challenges nowadays more than ever before. On the one hand, they try to prevail over the psychological and emotional effects caused by cultural traditions stereotypes which demean their contributions to the society. On the other hand, they are moving forward to make a difference as successful wives, mothers and business women who are recognised globally. Entrepreneurship has been an effective way women use to achieve delightful balance in the activities of their daily life.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• How would you describe a superwoman?
• How can startups led by Muslim women succeed in today’s globalised world?
• How impactful can the wide spread of social media be on women entrepreneurship?
• How can female entrepreneurs maintain a work-life balance?
• How can Muslim business women be efficient and competitive in the global market?

EXPLORING FASHION AND BEAUTY

Fashion and beauty go hand in hand but they can also stand on their own. Muslim women from cultures around the world have different ideas and practices concerning fashion and beauty. Modest fashion, a more conventionally feminine way of dressing, is valuable and can emphasise a woman’s intellectual and professional skills in the business world. The beauty industry thrives on newness and this includes Halal beauty products. In fact, the market for Muslim fashion and beauty continues to grow. This indicates that it is an important industry that requires entrepreneurs to understand their customer base very well.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• What is the relationship between fashion and beauty?
• How do social influencer bridge the gap between traditional and modest fashion?
• Trust and understanding in product production: What is in our beauty products? How were they made?
• What can we believe?
• What is the biggest misconception about modest fashion and beauty products among Muslim women?