The audience at The Old Courtroom spilled out of the seats and on to the stairs, eager to hear the distinguished panel assembled by The Institute of Development Studies to discuss – What If Women Ruled The World? Professor Andrea Cornwall chaired, debating the threats to women if they choose to enter politics and what the results of a balance of power might be.
The panel was diverse and articulate; Ifrah Hassan and Muna Hassan brought a youthful perspective, Caroline Lucas and Penny Thompson CBE represented women in the current establishment, and Professor Melissa Leach spoke from her anthropology experience.
Anna Cady, also present on the panel, is a contemporary artist who directed 30% Women And Politics In Sierra Leone. Her film was a springboard for discussion between panel and audience, and proved to be a provocative stimulus, with strong reactions from the audience and experts.
The obstacles to power discussed were vast and multi-layered, proving that there is a societal bias towards men and that two hours is only long enough to scratch the surface. This is a conversation that should continue.
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