One of the most powerful ways to advance women is to increase their numbers at decision-making tables and in public venues. Look at every setting to see how many women are represented. Think expansively about which women should be added to the list, and promote them for consideration.
Some Jewish leaders resist any advocacy around adding more women to the group because it evokes "quotas." Others become squeamish that "affirmative action" might result in selecting people based on their gender rather than their merits.
AWP believes that, given the vast number of talented professional and volunteer women throughout the Jewish world, increasing the numbers of females will not require any compromise in quality. In fact, research shows that women are held to much higher standards of performance than men - 2.5 times - and therefore, adding more women to the mix is likely to improve any group of decision-makers, leaders and experts.
Ultimately the goal is to have our collective efforts add up so that women are at least 35% of any group. That is the tipping point for women to be truly integrated as equal members. While achieving critical mass is the only way to have a transformative effect, each new woman included along the way - on a panel, commission, committee, or think tank - has an impact.
