20.01.2013 Views

Network Logic - Index of

Network Logic - Index of

Network Logic - Index of

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Old boys and new girls<br />

An approach that is self-organising<br />

In the same way that equality and diversity initiatives that are<br />

imposed in a top-down manner are unlikely to result in whole system<br />

change, women’s networks cannot be prescribed by managers. The<br />

first corporate networks were created on the initiative <strong>of</strong> individual<br />

women who perceived a need, and succeeded because there was a<br />

groundswell <strong>of</strong> women within the company who shared that view.<br />

The same principle applies to networks outside the workplace, where<br />

the range and scope <strong>of</strong> activities tend to be member-led, <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

evolving through series <strong>of</strong> experiments and listening exercises. This<br />

self-organising quality gives networks their dynamic quality, but it<br />

may also explain why some networks do not survive.<br />

An approach that accommodates diversity<br />

The fragmentation <strong>of</strong> the women’s movement during the 1980s is<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten attributed to the challenge <strong>of</strong> diversity. Women’s identities and<br />

experiences, it was felt by many, were far too complex and diverse to<br />

sustain any notion <strong>of</strong> collective interests, and the search for consensus<br />

thus became an illegitimate political project. Today, women’s<br />

networks <strong>of</strong>fer an alternative model <strong>of</strong> solidarity, which balances the<br />

interests <strong>of</strong> individuals (‘What can I get out <strong>of</strong> this? How can I<br />

develop as a person?’) with the desire for reciprocity, mutual support<br />

and, if appropriate, collective action (‘How can I help others? What<br />

can we achieve together?’). Women’s networks are highly flexible,<br />

allowing members to pick and choose how and when they connect<br />

with each other. Many women are members <strong>of</strong> several networks<br />

simultaneously, or switch from one to another as their needs change.<br />

While networks create shared identities among women, they do not<br />

demand political consensus.<br />

An approach that operates on several levels simultaneously<br />

Gender inequality cannot be tackled by breaking the problem down<br />

into smaller components and treating each one separately. Rather, a<br />

fabric <strong>of</strong> interrelated factors must be addressed at the same time.<br />

Women’s networks operate on at least three levels. First, they meet the<br />

Demos 125

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!