Women in Politics
In Women in Politics, host Radzi Chinyanganya explores the current state of gender representation in global politics. At present, 25% of politicians worldwide are women. This video delves into the importance of gender quotas, which aim to ensure more female representation in governments and help level the playing field in leadership positions. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
Lesson Express
Q: What do you think of the fact that 25% of world politicians are women?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may express surprise or agreement, discussing the implications of this statistic for global politics and gender equality.
Q: What would equal representation in politics look like? How could this be achieved?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should explore the importance of equal gender representation in decision-making and brainstorm methods, such as gender quotas or initiatives to encourage women’s political participation.
Q: Do you think gender quotas are a good idea? Why or why not?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of gender quotas in politics, weighing the need for fair representation against potential concerns over fairness or merit.
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In Sweden's Feminist Approach to International Relations, Margot Wallström, Sweden's Foreign Minister since 2014, talks about her decision to run a feminist foreign policy. She explains how this policy looks at the world’s problems from a gender perspective, asking whether women have the same rights, representation, and resources as men. Margot shares how growing up in Sweden, one of Europe’s most equal societies, shaped her beliefs in unrestricted hope for the future. She also reflects on the extra scrutiny women face, such as having their appearance commented on, rather than focusing on their work. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Christine Lagarde’s Legacy, learn how Christine Lagarde made history as the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund and now serves as President of the European Central Bank. She shares stories about overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, including being told she could never become a law firm partner simply because she was a woman. She worked tirelessly while raising two children, later earning their admiration for paving her own way. Lagarde believes that empowering women in finance and leadership will create prosperity for all. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.
In Women Who Lead, explore the experiences of female leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Bachelet. Thatcher believes her success came from her abilities, and doesn't focus on being a woman, though some critics say she didn’t create paths for other women. Clinton faced criticism for not emphasizing women’s rights in her 2008 presidential campaign, while Bachelet highlights the challenges women face in conservative countries, where they must confront prejudice to lead. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Sweden's Feminist Approach to International Relations, Margot Wallström, Sweden's Foreign Minister since 2014, talks about her decision to run a feminist foreign policy. She explains how this policy looks at the world’s problems from a gender perspective, asking whether women have the same rights, representation, and resources as men. Margot shares how growing up in Sweden, one of Europe’s most equal societies, shaped her beliefs in unrestricted hope for the future. She also reflects on the extra scrutiny women face, such as having their appearance commented on, rather than focusing on their work. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Christine Lagarde’s Legacy, learn how Christine Lagarde made history as the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund and now serves as President of the European Central Bank. She shares stories about overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, including being told she could never become a law firm partner simply because she was a woman. She worked tirelessly while raising two children, later earning their admiration for paving her own way. Lagarde believes that empowering women in finance and leadership will create prosperity for all. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.
In Women Who Lead, explore the experiences of female leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Bachelet. Thatcher believes her success came from her abilities, and doesn't focus on being a woman, though some critics say she didn’t create paths for other women. Clinton faced criticism for not emphasizing women’s rights in her 2008 presidential campaign, while Bachelet highlights the challenges women face in conservative countries, where they must confront prejudice to lead. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.