Live Q&A: Women in the charity sector

CharityConnect

28 posts

Join our panel on Wednesday 28th March, 1-2pm GMT, to discuss the role of women in charities and the sector more widely.

** To take part, simply comment your questions or opinions below either now or during the live hour**

This month, to mark Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day we will host an important and exciting discussion on women in the charity sector.

The charity sector is generally considered female-friendly, with the majority of the sector made up by women. However, whilst the sector employs more women than men, women are underrepresented in senior roles and this is even more apparent for BAME women, women with disabilities and those identifying as LGBT+.

Moreover, revelations of sexual misconduct in the sector coupled with the statistic that on average, women in the charity sector earn 16% less than men* has led to controversy around gender equality in the charity sector.

Bearing this context in mind, the Q&A will discuss:

Does the sector do enough to let all women succeed in senior positions?
What can the sector do to encourage women into senior roles?
Is the third sector sexist?

*Statistic from “WHAT WOMEN (IN FUNDRAISING) WANT” on the IoF

Meet the panel:

Lizzi Hollis-Butcher is Corporate Partnerships Manager at St Mungo’s. Lizzi is the Founder and Chair of Charity Women and won the Rising Star Award at the IoF 2016 convention.

Kristiana Wrixon is Head of Policy at ACEVO. She has worked and volunteered within the charity sector for 10 years, primarily in the field of violence against women and girls and mental health. Kristiana is passionate about charities, social justice, feminism, leadership & motherhood.

Yemi Gbajobi is Chief Executive at the London School of Economics Students’ Union and Arts Students’ Union. Yemi has previously worked as Representation Coordinator at London South Bank Students’ Union, Membership Development Manager and Head of Advice and Representation.

Becky Slack is the Founder and Managing Director of Slack Communications which provides editorial and communications services to charities. Becky is also the Co-Founder and Editorial Director at LEAD Magazine which exists to showcase leadership by women and under-represented groups and to accelerate the pace at which organisations become more diverse and inclusive.

Kirsten Greenaway is part of 'Is The Third Sector Sexist?', a collective of women taking part in the Charityworks graduate scheme, researching sexism and sexual harassment in the UK third sector. Kirsten is currently working as a Research Officer at First Choice Homes Oldham and is a volunteer mentor at People Matters Leeds.

If you can’t make the live hour, you’re welcome to comment any questions you’d like answered below.

To participate, you need a CharityConnect account. If you haven’t already got one, head here to sign up.

You’ll see the newest posts first and please keep refreshing the page so that you can follow the conversation. We hope you’re as excited as we are to learn and engage in an interesting discussion. Here's to a great Live Q&A on CharityConnect!