One hundred women debate gender issues
A day of discussion and a host of video reports and graphics highlighted women’s issues.
The BBC’s recent 100 Women conference brought together 100 women from around the world at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London for a day of debate, discussion and live broadcasting.
Cherie Blair, British barrister and philanthropist; Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic Games gold medallist; Jacqui Smith, former UK Home Secretary and Martha Lane Fox, UK technology entrepreneur and digital champion, joined others including Syrian blogger and activist, Razan Ghazzawi; a radical Spanish nun, the head of the English Collective of Prostitutes, Judith Webb, the first female officer to command an all-male squadron in the British Army and the UK’s first female porn director.
Topics discussed included ‘Should mothers get a living wage?’, ‘Why are there so few female scientists?’ and ‘What is 21st century feminism?’
Former tennis champion Martina Navratilova revealed that her decision to come out as gay was branded career suicide and led to the loss of millions of dollars in endorsements. But she said that was a price she was willing to pay in order to remain ‘true to herself’.
Navratilova, who has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, believes it is important that women “break boundaries, be yourself and believe in yourself”.
She said that it was these three principles which had guided her life.
British feminist writer Natasha Walter, who was among the women discussing feminism, said, “Feminism is all about equality and freedom. It’s great more men than ever before are now coming forward and saying ‘I am a feminist’.”
During the discussion, journalist Ann Leslie recalled how, although she was a successful writer, she couldn’t get a mortgage because she wasn’t married, but when she but reapplied as Captain Griggs one was instantly granted.
But English porn film director Anna Arrowsmith said, “One of the issues we have with feminism at the moment, is that we have to move on and look at men and how men are gendered.
“I have studied men but they are just as anxious as we are but they have to perform to this strong, masculine thing which often leaves them isolated.”
Sigridur Maria Egilsdottir, Iceland’s champion debater, talked about ending inequality.
She said: “Although it may seem impossible to change outdated rules that stop girls being educated… our world is ruled by little else than thoughts and ideas, and therefore it is within our power to change it.”
The event coincided with a survey by the World Economic Forum showing that there have been improvements in economic equality and political empowerment for women, but that there is still no country on earth where women and men are equal.
The BBC’s 100 Women website has a host of video reports and graphics to highlight women’s issues. For the names of the 100 women who took part and their Twitter addresses click here.