A word from the CEO
This journal focuses on the role and the approach of women in philanthropy, microfinance and delivering services to communities in need. As we witness the resounding success of microfinance with groups of women and their empowerment through education leading to the ability to make choices or simply provide a sustainable way of life for their families; where does that leave the men?The communities that benefit in such a significant way from things we take for granted – access to credit and financial services and education – are societies where the roles of men and women are broadly defined around that of breadwinner and home keeper. I was recently reminded of a conversation in Africa, on a journey to a rural community, with one of the local men who, when asked whether or not he was married said, “Yes, I have seven wives”.
How will the men in these communities adapt to an environment where women want to make different choices or take up different roles to those tradition dictates? Is this empowerment by women of women going to create new gender tensions and division of communities in the future?
Suzanne Gowler, CEO The Great Generation
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