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Investing in Women Leaders   
August 30, 2007—Siham El Yaghmouri (pictured right) comes from Morocco, a country at the crossroads. It is a gateway between Europe and Africa, and between new ways and traditional ones. Though she loves Morocco, there is one change she wants to see. “I would love to change gender roles in my country,” Siham says. She explains that today, as in the past, “women are expected to be the perfect wife and mother” but now have the added pressure to “be good in their career.” In that respect, they share pressures faced by American women. But, despite some progress, Moroccan women face many more obstacles than their U.S. counterparts in improving their lives and leading their communities. Siham is part of CEDPA’s 43rd Global Women in Management workshop held Aug. 27-Sep. 21 in Washington, D.C. This workshop brings together 26 women from 18 countries as diverse as Angola, Egypt, Cyprus, Malaysia and Thailand. Though their backgrounds are different, each shares Siham’s commitment to improving women’s leadership in the advancement of their communities. As women, they face very similar challenges in becoming leaders. Worldwide, women make up just 21 percent of the world’s managers, 17 percent of parliamentarians and only one percent of Fortune 500 chief executives. Recognizing that all women can be leaders, the workshop is designed as a participatory environment that strengthens leadership, management, communications and advocacy skills. The intensive four-week course teaches skills in project management, decision-making, business development, proposal writing, strategic communications and monitoring and evaluation.
The women hear from experts, receive hands-on technical training, and practice their presentation skills. Site visits in New York City bring participants together with major donors, U.S. government officials and leading non-profit organizations. Participants are funded through special support by the ExxonMobil Foundation’s Educating Women and Girls Initiative, which is also sponsoring CEDPA’s new coaching program. The coaching program pairs each workshop graduate with an experienced CEDPA alumnus that can provide ongoing guidance as participants begin to apply lessons learned within their communities. Graduates will join the growing network of over 5,000 CEDPA alumni in more than 150 countries, forming a powerful network of women and men leading the development of their communities and nations. Read what CEDPA alumni have accomplished post training. |
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