Gender Guidelines: The women’s checklist

• In programming, ensure there is an equal representation of men and women across all programs. If for some reason this is not achieved, look at the list of possible women writers to include to achieve gender balance again and balance the numbers. If for some specific reason you believe this is not achievable, explain in the program notes why (and expect critical reaction).
• Involve women in the design of events/ programming.
• Find female and male writers to speak on topics covered – there are women writing on every topic, and it should not be assumed that certain topics are the exclusive domain of either.
• Where books are showcased or presented for sale as part of an event or program, ensure that works from women and men are included – again in all genres and in equal numbers.
• If essays/papers are published as part of a conference or program, ensure that works commissioned are by an equal representation of male and female writers.
• Moderators/Chairs for sessions should reflect gender diversity – where these roles are properly carried out they direct the flow of discussion and it’s important that women participate equally in them.
• If there’s a need for disparity, say because of odd numbers – err on the side of over-representation of women – you’ll be making up for historic imbalance that will take centuries to see women’s voices equally represented overall.