Comments on: Should men boycott all-male panels at conferences?

By: pa

pa — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 03:17:15 +0000

But what happens when I want to attend an a BBC, Aljazeerah or CNN conference where more than likley the line up will be all women? Do I also have to boycott this? In the interest of equality maybe all women should sign something similar to say they won’t attend when its an all female line up. Personally, I think Claire Melamed’s outdated attitudes are now part of the problem not part of the solution.

By: Cynan

Cynan — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:05:42 +0000

Stop having so many gabfests of questionable purpose or outcome. Then the alleged small pool of high quality women speakers will be able to do all the ones they’re asked to.

Fixed that for you…

By: Søren

Søren — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:12:16 +0000

.. and, if you wanna go all the way, insist that other panellists sign the same pledge.

That way panels would be fantastic or all-self-inflated!

By: Søren

Søren — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:58:19 +0000

How about “I will only attend a panel having carefully considered whether I, myself, make the most interesting addition to the other panellists, should I rather recommend someone else, and don’t give a toss about biological features?”

By: Jill Finlayson (@jfinlayson)

Jill Finlayson (@jfinlayson) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:48:38 +0000

I think you should request the organizers pursue a diverse panel and make recommendations for potential panelists. It is their responsibility to form the panel but the external pressure from a panelist they desire will add weight and foster greater effort around diversity.

Having been a mentor for the Tech Women program and having attended Women 2.0 events, there are some many talented women in all fields and they are not difficult to find.

Interesting, Striking Poverty had an all male panel for a discussion followed by an all female panel for the next discussion. Intent and effort to pursue diversity is key – even if you don’t always succeed, it will hopefully balance out overall.

By: Sylvia Hordosch

Sylvia Hordosch — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:05:18 +0000

One problem is that it is usually heads of organizations or heads of departments who get invited. They are often male. I like the idea that invitees challenge the whole set up of a panel before they accept.

On a related note, I think there is also value to rethink all female panels – especially if the topic is on gender equality issues. It would benefit the discourse if more men participated in discussions on gender issues, from combatting violence against women to improving women’s access to financial services.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:29:03 +0000

Also similar to the girl focused conference tracks organized by http://www.greenlightforgirls.org (such as at OSCON for STEM).

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:25:56 +0000

@Amara I like the point of “just for show” !

Perhaps giving preference to evenly weighted panels (especially the high level, big draw ones) as an element of *displaying* diversity is made difficult for conference organizers and a pool of appropriate expertise or position that doesn’t have an evenly weighted rolodex. “Whelp, I guess Christine Lagarde isn’t available this weekend. Ideas?”

After a few hours reflecting on this concept, I’m still hooked on the idea of other techniques for breaking tokenism or privilege for the benefit of the conference AND the larger agenda & future rolodex of a specific ecosystem. Beyond boycotting panels or preferring lip service as social commentary (though it can be appropriately constructive).

Rather than a “even panel distribution or bust”, some of my favorite methods are the unique approaches offered by largely male dominated STEM conferences. If all-male panels happen, rather than leave them unattended or cancel the conference… the speakers (or conference attendees/organizers) could create more opportunities, for breaking that trend. More scholarships or travel grants could be provided (for minorities or underrepresented speakers/participants of any kind).

Additionally, even panels might end up reifying the larger systemic issue. Some possible solutions begin with detecting privilege and creating more pre-professional, academic, or youth oriented conference tracks that would encourage the next generation or upcoming panel speakers. There is a great project called She’s Geeky that’s been attempting to create a similar track for women/girls in STEM. http://shesgeeky.org

By: Amara

Amara — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:53:19 +0000

I am black,young,female,from a developing country in a specialized field. Can life get any better? I love the idea for selfish reasons; It gives me undue advantage! On a serious note; I’ve volunteered in NGOs where women’s very basic rights (such as education, even marriage and all the things a lot of people only read about) are real issues. So I understand how women can be disadvantaged. However I think a line should be drawn (especially if getting a woman on the panel would be just to pay lip service to gender equality/sensitivity agenda)…I think in the next 100 years or so men would have to fight for recognition of their rights! A man who works hard and makes sacrifices to be excellent in his career has a right too.The audience has a right to get the best resource people available.
Personally, though I get irritated when an obvious “just for show” female panelist is on a panel of other people obviously above her level of expertise (I think it is hypocritical). I’ve found that I enjoy and pay better attention to a panel with a mix of smart knowledgeable women and young people.Unless it’s a topic I’m very interested in, the typical all white male older panels bore me.(I just find a little mix easier to relate to.) I think every smart event organizer who desires to reach a wide audience would take the preferences of audience members like me into consideration. Should this be a law or an issue? Today, I’ll hesitate to say yes

By: Koh

Koh — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:05:01 +0000

I agree that if a man is invited to join a panel and find it men-only on the day of the event, making public reference to that fact is the least he can do. Finding an opportunity to make a point during the panel discussion about how many women around the world today, and not just men, are interested in the topic being debated, can be the next step in the right direction.