Women’s Leadership
Women’s empowerment is closely linked to improving overall quality of life conditions not only for women but across societies.
The Coady Institute has been building leadership capacities through its programming since 1959, with an increasing focus on the particular needs of women as they take on greater roles and responsibilities in advancing global development. The Coady Institute is creating new programming and initiatives in support of women leaders such as the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program for emerging women leaders from Canadian First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, and our Certificate in Community Development Leadership by Women. With new funding support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 2010, the Coady Institute will build on our strong foundations of expertise and experience in women’s leadership with the creation of the International Centre for Women’s Leadership.
In honour of International Women’s Day,Rotina Mafume shares her story. More
International Centre for Women’s Leadership
|
Women from all walks of life have overcome formidable obstacles to create change and improve the quality of life of millions of people around the globe. Ela Bhatt founded the Self Employed Women’s Association in India that unites and offers services to over one million informal women workers. Zilda Arns Neumann launched Pastoral da Criança that has inspired and supported 260,000 volunteers to cut infant mortality by 50% in communities across Brazil. Why are there not more of these extraordinary women? What opportunities do potential women leaders need and what barriers must they transcend? What can we learn from success stories and how can we translate this learning into preparing women for dynamic leadership roles? |
The Coady Institute's newly launched International Centre for Women's Leadership is preparing a new generation of women leaders in development worldwide. The Centre builds on Coady’s long and distinguished history of quality education, productive partnerships and research in the field of development leadership.
In its first year, the Centre will offer dynamic educational opportunities to emerging women leaders from developing countries, create a global network of like-minded institutions and individuals, research women’s leadership across sectors and geographies, and publish multi-media material on women’s breakthrough leadership.
The Centre’s inaugural education program - Global Change Leaders - aims to cultivate innovation and strengthen the leadership capacities of women who are making outstanding contributions in the field of development. The Centre’s programs will be delivered by high calibre faculty and inspirational mentors who have led profound social and economic change in international settings.
In subsequent years, the Centre plans to build on core activities to achieve: academic excellence through a graduate program and scholarly research; and global outreach by promoting regional and national programs and institutions.