| Since opening in 1994, the Dawn Center has provided seminars to empower women to participate in society. In 1995, when a large earthquake hit southern parts of Hyogo Prefecture, many non-profit organizations (NPOs) were established to provide support for the victims. This movement put pressure on the government to create new NPO laws. It was in this social atmosphere that more women's groups, using the Dawn Center as a base of operation, started increasing their social activities. However, they lacked the necessary tools to lead and manage their organizations and promote their cause to the general public. Also, a general lack of funds made things more challenging.
We looked at the problems and concerns facing each group and what they needed for support. In 1998 the new NPO law was passed, and we started the "women's group organization" project, which has been developing ever since.
When developing an organization, a perspective on gender issues is absolutely necessary. Management structures that are not suitable for NPO activities are "pyramidical organizations" and "male-dominated management systems that issue orders to be followed and seek only to maximize company profits. NPOs should be run with gender equality, a focus on human relationships, an emphasis on the social significance of the NPO's activities, and personal fulfillment. Therefore, learning and bring into practice organization development with a gender equality focus creates a more mature NPO. This is an essential perspective for the many NPOs in different fields.
We invite company founders and management organization experts to lecture at our project seminars. Before the seminars we discuss, with the lecturers, our views on gender equality and other women's issues. We have held seven annual seminars since 1998. Having asked for feedback from the students at the end of each seminar, we have been able to improve our project, seminars, and events to customize them to the ever-changing situations and needs of NPOs.
The seminar programs address essential information for NPO activities such as; mission statements, case studies of activities by NPOs with a gender-equal perspective, and management methods for running organizations. These management methods include; making an activitie's plan, voluntary management in NPOs, accounting, promotion strategy, funds development, and organization evaluation etc. The NPO groups that have actively developed their organizations, after the seminars, are invited back as lecturers in subsequent seminars. These groups act as "a mentor" to other women's groups.
Out of all the "intermediary" organizations that hold "NPO Management development" seminars in Japan, most do not have lectures from a gender perspective. For this reason, as a women's center, we need to conduct and expand "Organization Development" seminars from a gender perspective. The Dawn Center's programs will continue to lead women towards empowerment and social change.
Hideko Nakamura, Programming Division of the Dawn Center
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