Investing in Women Leaders: The Global Women in Management Program

Nov. 10, 2005—Despite decades of progress, women account for only 30 percent of managers in the world’s workforce, according to the United Nations. Yet, research shows that educating women and girls is one of the smartest investments nations can make in their development.

CEDPA is committed to investing in women’s leadership in the development of their nations. From October 24 to November 18, 25 women from 18 countries have joined CEDPA for a Global Women in Management program to strengthen their leadership, management, communications and advocacy skills. Participants are funded through special support by ExxonMobil’s Educating Women and Girls Initiative.

This year’s Global Women in Management program includes leaders from countries as diverse as Azerbaijan, Honduras, Kenya and the West Indies. These women come from every stage of their career. Their organizations vary, from a Malaysian medical relief society to a rural women’s organization in China.

What the women share is a passion for improving their communities, and the commitment to strengthening their leadership and management skills so they can be part of the solution.

The intensive four-week Global Women in Management course allows program participants to strengthen their skills in program design and management, decision-making, leadership, business development, proposal writing, strategic communication and monitoring and evaluation.

Program participants hear from experts, receive hands-on technical training, and practice their presentation skills. Site visits in Washington, D.C. and New York City bring participants together with major donors, U.S. government officials and leading non-profit organizations.

CEDPA’s approach to training recognizes the leadership ability of every participant. The workshop is designed as a participatory environment. The women in this year’s program report that some of the most valuable learning during the workshop is the knowledge gained directly from other participants about the challenges and solution for women leaders in other countries.

The Global Women in Management program is built on CEDPA’s 30-year history of improving the lives of women and girls in developing countries. CEDPA has offered hundreds of trainings in Washington, DC and around the world. Graduates of CEDPA workshops have risen to prominence in their nations, including the minister of women’s affairs in Afghanistan and the minister of health in Kenya.

CEDPA will support this year’s Global Women in Management participants as they begin to apply lessons learned within their communities. Following the course, participants will join a one-year mentorship program that pairs them with experienced CEDPA alumni. CEDPA will provide ongoing materials and tools to monitor and evaluate the mentoring relationship.

This year’s graduates will join the growing network of 5,000 CEDPA alumni in nearly 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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