Most of us realise how far we still need to move the dial when it comes to women having equality – equality of opportunity, of sharing power, of physical and emotional safety. Whether it’s gender-based violence, open misogyny, or the disproportionate power in the world in male hands, we can feel powerless to change things.
International Women’s Day is vital to raise awareness and discussion, but it can feel performative at times, when real, meaningful change is just too slow.
But there are always thing we can change. And the Rogare report on patriarchy in fundraising shows that in the charity sector and our own profession, they must change. I shared the report last Autumn, and lots of you got in contact with stories that prove that our work is not done:
“In my roles I’ve felt uncomfortable meeting male donors who we’ve been able to gather no information on prior to meeting. I’ve also met donors by myself the day after hearing how donors had sexually harassed another fundraiser. Quite terrifying to be honest.”
“Unfortunately, my biggest issue has been male colleagues within the industry. Of course, no not at all male fundraisers (how frustrating this still needs to be said), but the power imbalance between women and men within fundraising is still stark.”
And if you think these are isolated incidents, the comments on this LinkedIn thread are sadly plentiful.
You, the Summit Community, have also given me huge hope, though. Here are some of the things that you are changing, for the first time.👏
“Thanks Louise. I shared with my team and we have just spoken about our experiences and possible ways forward in our weekly team meeting.We do have a lone working policy but nothing specifically around women in fundraising which I think we do need.”
“I experienced an unpleasant incident with a donor last year. I was going to brush it to one side but mentioned it to my boss as a comment rather than a formal complaint. The organisation took it very seriously and wrote to the donor basically saying we no longer wanted anything to do with him. Our COO has drafted a Behavioural Conduct policy and we’re considering a donor code of conduct.”
I realise how busy your role is, how much you probably have on your to-do list, but I really urge you to take a read of the report with a cuppa. There is deliberately no summary, as this work is complex and messy. But it’s essential.
Because if we don’t get our own house in order, we can’t really complain about the role of women in the rest of the world….and I don’t know about you, but I’d love to be proud of the charity sector and see fundraising leading the way for women.
As always, I’d love to hear what you’re doing in this area. Have you introduced a donor code of conduct? How did it go? Are things changing at the charity you’re working at?
And although it is only one day, it’s a bloody important one, so belated Happy International Women’s Day!
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