Naming Patriarchal Culture in NGOs
We’ve all heard of “white saviorism,” a term for those Western [white] folks who parachute in and make decisions for communities — particularly in the Global South — thinking they know what’s best. A mindset and corresponding behavior deriving itself directly from the Patriarchy.
Patriarchy — a pervasive system of society or government in which men hold the power and women and minority groups are largely excluded from it.
Pretty much nobody working in humanitarian action or international development wants to be associated with that term, given its definition of power over others.
It is the antithesis of empowerment — which is a word that many feel ripely describe the vision and mission of NGOs.
And yet, it is 2019 and international humanitarian and development NGOs continue to find themselves entangled with the likes of Patriarchy. More often than not, these organizations are led by white, cis men and falling short from embodying an inclusive culture.
The very systems that are pushing social change are also quelling its potential.
Hierarchal. Coalitions of Power. Internalized Oppression. White Centering. Non-Profit Industrial Complex.
Power dynamics exist in every single institution in our lives. Politics — Education — Health — Economic — Social— and yes Non-profit
It’s a hard truth for many people in the social impact sphere to face that their organizations may not be inclusive and equitable systems. (see white fragility)
In fact, many non-profits and philanthropic ventures are contributing to the systemic inequity and oppression, despite their “do-gooder” mandates. These institutions have internalized oppression into their own narrative and reinforce inequalities across their hiring practices, leadership, management, culture, programs, and services.
Organizations established to serve marginalized groups have turned a blind eye to what is truly going on inside.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable?
Let’s sit with that discomfort for a minute. Now imagine your colleagues who sit with that discomfort everyday, more specifically people of color and other marginalized groups.
Stop. Observe. Notice. How have attitudes and behaviors of the Patriarchy infiltrated and co-opted your organization? Use your intuition, listen to your body— what feels out of alignment? There is a reason that NGOs have high level of burnout among staff and it’s not just the intense nature of the work.
Whose voices are not only at the table, but being centered within your organization and whose are not? How are decisions informed and made?
NGOs must actively work to dismantle internal and external systems of inequality and oppression. It is not enough to measure a system by its external outcomes and impact, because both are intertwined.
The idea that non-profits can perpetuate patriarchal norms is not a radical idea.
In fact, what is shocking is the dominant narrative that non-profits are impervious to act as agents of oppression given their entangled juxtaposition within the international system.
As Change Agents — we must DISRUPT this narrative.
Just as organizations are a product of their people, an NGO’s collective consciousness is a byproduct of their people’s consciousness. We must raise our own consciousness and bravery to shift the dominant narrative in favor of equity and inclusion, internally.
We start by speaking truth to power.
We must name it — Patriarchy — within our own organizations to begin dismantling behaviors of power over and shifting towards a strong belief of power with.
Become a disruptive force within your organization.
Social justice is not an action meant to happen “out there.” Humanitarian and development organizations have a responsibility to do The Work inside themselves — right here, right now.
