ProjectProject“European Federation of Mentors for Girls and “European Federation of Mentors for Girls and

Young Women”Young Women”

Situation of girls and young women Situation of girls and young women promotion and mentoring in Latvia promotion and mentoring in Latvia

Zonta International District 21 Sweden & Latvia Area Director, Zonta International District 21 Sweden & Latvia Area Director, Ex-president of International Zonta Jelgava Club Ex-president of International Zonta Jelgava Club

Prof. Dr.hab.oec. Baiba RivzaProf. Dr.hab.oec. Baiba RivzaInternational meeting October 15 -18, 2008, GrazInternational meeting October 15 -18, 2008, Graz

International Zonta Jelgava ClubInternational Zonta Jelgava Club Zonta InternationalZonta International is a worldwide, nonpartisan and nonsectarian service is a worldwide, nonpartisan and nonsectarian service

organization of executives in business and the professions working organization of executives in business and the professions working together in advancing the status of women. Nearly 33,000 members together in advancing the status of women. Nearly 33,000 members belong to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 68 countries and geographic belong to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 68 countries and geographic areas. areas.

International Zonta Jelgava ClubInternational Zonta Jelgava Club was founded in 1997 with aim to was founded in 1997 with aim to promote the activities of Zonta International in Jelgava city and regionpromote the activities of Zonta International in Jelgava city and region. .

The main tasks of organization are: The main tasks of organization are: To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and To improve the legal, political, economic, educational, health, and

professional status of women; professional status of women; To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and peace To work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and peace

through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions; through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions; To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and To promote justice and universal respect for human rights and

fundamental freedoms; fundamental freedoms; To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement To be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, to implement

service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for service programs, and to provide mutual support and fellowship for women women

Percentage of women in Latvian population

Total in the country – 54 %

Urban population – 55 %

Rural population – 52 %

Situation on girls and young women Situation on girls and young women promotion in Latviapromotion in Latvia

Dominant structure – traditional choice of education Dominant structure – traditional choice of education and carrier:and carrier:

- Health and social care (85% of all employees) - Health and social care (85% of all employees) - Service branch (83,3%) Service branch (83,3%) - Education (78,4%)Education (78,4%) Women are less paid, except public administration Women are less paid, except public administration

(average salary of women is only 81,5% of average (average salary of women is only 81,5% of average salary of men) salary of men)

Awareness of gender equality is in scientific Awareness of gender equality is in scientific community (highest proportion of women scientists in community (highest proportion of women scientists in Europe) Europe)

Situation on girls and young women Situation on girls and young women promotion in Latviapromotion in Latvia

Still strong role of stereotypesStill strong role of stereotypes 10 women from10 women from 100 are full members of the 100 are full members of the

Latvia Academy of Sciences Latvia Academy of Sciences 18 women from 100 are members of the 18 women from 100 are members of the

Parliament Parliament 17% of all professors are women 17% of all professors are women 34% of all entrepreneurs are women, worse 34% of all entrepreneurs are women, worse

situation is in rural areas – about 20% from all situation is in rural areas – about 20% from all entrepreneursentrepreneurs

63

45

68

25

11

43

5548

8089

01020304050

60708090

100

Students PhDgraduates

Assistantprof.

Associateprof.

Full prof.

Women

Men

Relative share of women & men in a typical academic career

84

78

65

36

21

44

84

56

0 20 40 60 80 100

Utilities

Health, health and social care

Agriculture

Engineering and technologies

Natural sciences and mathematics

Social sciences

Humanities

Teaching sciences and teacher education

Percentage of total number of women Percentage of total number of women in the fields of studiesin the fields of studies

Women in entrepreneurshipWomen in entrepreneurship 34% of all entrepreneurs in Latvia are women34% of all entrepreneurs in Latvia are women Worse situation is in rural areas – about 20% from all Worse situation is in rural areas – about 20% from all

entrepreneursentrepreneursMain reasons: Main reasons:

Lack of family support - women as the main responsible for Lack of family support - women as the main responsible for housework and/or childrenhousework and/or children

Willingness to avoid risksWillingness to avoid risks Problems with social system and child care systemProblems with social system and child care system ““Male club/traditions/stereotypes” especially in technical fieldsMale club/traditions/stereotypes” especially in technical fields Missing knowledge about accountingMissing knowledge about accounting Lack of financingLack of financing Low self-esteemLow self-esteem

The gender quality aspect as horizontal objective is includedThe gender quality aspect as horizontal objective is includedthroughoutthroughout the the Latvia Development Plan 200Latvia Development Plan 20077 – 20 – 201313, primarily, primarilywithin the prioritywithin the priority “Development of Human Resources and“Development of Human Resources andEmployment”, e.g.:Employment”, e.g.:

Output indicators and baseline data are broken down by gender Output indicators and baseline data are broken down by gender to monitor gender gaps and to measure progress in gender to monitor gender gaps and to measure progress in gender equalityequality

Additional points in the selection criteria will be assigned to Additional points in the selection criteria will be assigned to those projects which contribute to gender equalitythose projects which contribute to gender equality

Gender balance in Monitoring and Steering Committees will be Gender balance in Monitoring and Steering Committees will be encouragedencouraged

Support for Latvia women from EU structural funds

Organizations involved in girls and Organizations involved in girls and young women promotionyoung women promotion

International Zontu Jelgava Club International Zontu Jelgava Club Latvia Rural Women associationLatvia Rural Women association NGO Līdere NGO Līdere NGO MartaNGO Marta NGO Gender equality society NGO Gender equality society NGO NGO Business women societyBusiness women society Many NGO and women clubs in Latvia regionsMany NGO and women clubs in Latvia regions

Mentoring programs for rural Mentoring programs for rural women in Latviawomen in Latvia

Mentoring programs for rural women in Latvia supported through Mentoring programs for rural women in Latvia supported through INTERREG III B project “FEM: Female INTERREG III B project “FEM: Female Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs meetings in the Baltic Sea region”meetings in the Baltic Sea region” and and FIVE-O project “Zonta FIVE-O project “Zonta and Soroptimist International clubs mentoring program for and Soroptimist International clubs mentoring program for rural women”rural women”

Main aims of the program were: Main aims of the program were: To help the Mentees to develop their business related goals;To help the Mentees to develop their business related goals; To get the entrepreneurs into active women entrepreneurs’ network To get the entrepreneurs into active women entrepreneurs’ network

and to start cooperation with each other;and to start cooperation with each other; To ensure sustainability of enterprise in starting phase;To ensure sustainability of enterprise in starting phase; To provide professional guidance, new knowledge;To provide professional guidance, new knowledge; To exchange experiences, to avoid some mistakes.To exchange experiences, to avoid some mistakes.

Activities Activities Selection of Mentees and MentorsSelection of Mentees and Mentors Seminars and meetings for Mentees and MentorsSeminars and meetings for Mentees and Mentors Composing and concluding agreements between Mentees Composing and concluding agreements between Mentees

and Mentorsand Mentors Dissemination activities of mentoring programDissemination activities of mentoring program Special training and common coaching and networking Special training and common coaching and networking

events for Mentors and Menteesevents for Mentors and Mentees Questionnaire of 103 exitsing and potential Mentees and 62 Questionnaire of 103 exitsing and potential Mentees and 62

existing and potential Mentors all regions of Latvia existing and potential Mentors all regions of Latvia Development of Mentoring manual Development of Mentoring manual Monitoring and evaluation of mentoring cooperation Monitoring and evaluation of mentoring cooperation

(interviews with Mentees and Mentors)(interviews with Mentees and Mentors)

Mentoring pairs and groupsMentoring pairs and groups In total 27 mentoring pairs and 3 groups (10 pairs and 2 groups in In total 27 mentoring pairs and 3 groups (10 pairs and 2 groups in

Zemgale, 7 pairs and 1 group in Vidzeme, and 5 pairs in each Zemgale, 7 pairs and 1 group in Vidzeme, and 5 pairs in each Latgale and Kurzeme)Latgale and Kurzeme)

Main resultsMain results All interviewed mentors and mentees are satisfied All interviewed mentors and mentees are satisfied

and gratify about cooperation. Most of the mentors and gratify about cooperation. Most of the mentors emphasis win – win principle which means that emphasis win – win principle which means that they are also winners in this situationthey are also winners in this situation

Almost all pairs and groups meet each other once a Almost all pairs and groups meet each other once a week or frequently communicate by phone; But all week or frequently communicate by phone; But all emphases meaning of face to face meetingsemphases meaning of face to face meetings

Mentees as positive aspect of mentoring mentioned Mentees as positive aspect of mentoring mentioned guiding method that allows the mentee come to guiding method that allows the mentee come to solution by herself (also sustainability of mentoring solution by herself (also sustainability of mentoring results that for example differs from training results that for example differs from training courses, one day seminars, etc.)courses, one day seminars, etc.)

Qualitative resultsQualitative results

individual satisfaction

17%

develoment, growth and experience

28%contacts and

new cooperation possibilities

22%

information, new ideas

22%

self - esteem and security

sense11%

Quantitative resultsQuantitative results

5

3

5

1

5

4

3

4

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Business plans

received loans

founded LLC

founded individualenterprise

submitted andsupported projects

business partners

increased educationaland qualification level

increased turnower ofenterprises

Other results Other results Created data basisCreated data basis of existing and potential women mentors and mentees in of existing and potential women mentors and mentees in

rural regionsrural regions 4 FEM Mentors of the event “4 FEM Mentors of the event “Mentor of the Year 2006” received rewardsMentor of the Year 2006” received rewards

(Nelda Bailīte, Zeltīte Kaviere, Eleonora Maisaka, Vija Ancāne); 2 Mentors (Nelda Bailīte, Zeltīte Kaviere, Eleonora Maisaka, Vija Ancāne); 2 Mentors of of the event “Mentor of the Year 2007” received awards – Astrīda Vītola of of the event “Mentor of the Year 2007” received awards – Astrīda Vītola – mentor for micro-credit group in Iecava and Inara Vasilevska – pair – mentor for micro-credit group in Iecava and Inara Vasilevska – pair mentor in Preili (Latgale region);mentor in Preili (Latgale region);

Mentoring is included in the Mentoring is included in the National plan for development of Latvia for National plan for development of Latvia for the years 2007. – 2013the years 2007. – 2013 as one of the priorities in creating new competitive as one of the priorities in creating new competitive enterprises, creation of unite and efficient support system for business enterprises, creation of unite and efficient support system for business launching (mentor consultations, finance supporting – “first seed grants", net launching (mentor consultations, finance supporting – “first seed grants", net supporting, seed grants, micro credits, investments guarantees, risk capital supporting, seed grants, micro credits, investments guarantees, risk capital funding, resource centers etc.). funding, resource centers etc.).

Developed mentoring manualDeveloped mentoring manual in order to support and give concrete advice in order to support and give concrete advice to them who plan and are running mentoring projects, especially the co-to them who plan and are running mentoring projects, especially the co-ordinators and others involved in practical mentoring.ordinators and others involved in practical mentoring.

6 scientific articles and 12 presentations6 scientific articles and 12 presentations in seminars and international in seminars and international conferences in Latvia, Finland, Denmark, Poland, etc.conferences in Latvia, Finland, Denmark, Poland, etc.

Our main activities in 2008Our main activities in 2008 Event “Young Women Public Affairs”Event “Young Women Public Affairs” involve involve essay essay

competition “Essays of society-active girls” on March, competition “Essays of society-active girls” on March, 2008 2008

Theme - Theme - young women and girls’ role and problems in young women and girls’ role and problems in the societythe society. The girls described activities which have . The girls described activities which have brought the benefits for their region, main events and brought the benefits for their region, main events and understandings from their own experience and also understandings from their own experience and also women problems in society and possibilities for carrier women problems in society and possibilities for carrier development. development.

In final event participated representatives of International In final event participated representatives of International Zonta Jelgava club and Rotari club, chairman of Jelgava Zonta Jelgava club and Rotari club, chairman of Jelgava City council, Jelgava State Secondary school, Spidola City council, Jelgava State Secondary school, Spidola Secondary School and others.Secondary School and others.

Our main activities in 2008Our main activities in 2008

Winners of essay competition Irina Maksimova, Liene Bergmane and Anna Katlaga, March, 2008

Visit in the Parliament of Republic of Latvia on 11th April, 2008Visit in the Parliament of Republic of Latvia on 11th April, 2008 for for winners of Irina Maksimova, Liene Bergmane and Anna Katlaga and their English teacher winners of Irina Maksimova, Liene Bergmane and Anna Katlaga and their English teacher Skaidrīte Bukbārde. Premises of the Parliament were observed and information about its Skaidrīte Bukbārde. Premises of the Parliament were observed and information about its operation and history were found out. Also, in this visit, future plans of the girls were operation and history were found out. Also, in this visit, future plans of the girls were discussed regarding their carrier choice, their achievements and possible cooperation in discussed regarding their carrier choice, their achievements and possible cooperation in different projects. different projects.

Our main activities in 2008Our main activities in 2008 Meeting of Zonta International District 21 Sweden & Latvia Area on April Meeting of Zonta International District 21 Sweden & Latvia Area on April

12, 200812, 2008 (Presentation of FIVE-O project Zonta and Soroptimist International (Presentation of FIVE-O project Zonta and Soroptimist International clubs mentoring program for rural women”) clubs mentoring program for rural women”)

Meeting in the Latvian Parliament on May 19, 2008Meeting in the Latvian Parliament on May 19, 2008 – Challenges of women – Challenges of women NGO’s in implementing Latvian National Development plan 2007-2013 (prof. NGO’s in implementing Latvian National Development plan 2007-2013 (prof. B.Rivža)B.Rivža)

Latvian Zontians scholarshipLatvian Zontians scholarship for talented and hard working Latvian girls who for talented and hard working Latvian girls who do not have the chances to continue their higher education due to the poor do not have the chances to continue their higher education due to the poor family economy. On the 15th February 2008 Latvian Zontians meeting it was family economy. On the 15th February 2008 Latvian Zontians meeting it was decided that the Latvian Zonta Clubs’ annual scholarship will be granted in the decided that the Latvian Zonta Clubs’ annual scholarship will be granted in the amount of 1000 lats (100 lats a month from September to June) to Madara amount of 1000 lats (100 lats a month from September to June) to Madara Mežviete from Kalnciema Secondary School. The scholarship will be Mežviete from Kalnciema Secondary School. The scholarship will be administrated through the Vītols Foundation (Vītolu fonds), a non-profit administrated through the Vītols Foundation (Vītolu fonds), a non-profit organization founded in 2002. organization founded in 2002.

Experts meeting for mentoring of young women and girls – existing Experts meeting for mentoring of young women and girls – existing situation and future development on July 9, 2008 in Skaistkalnesituation and future development on July 9, 2008 in Skaistkalne (about 20 (about 20 participants; presentation of project “European Federation of Mentors for Girls participants; presentation of project “European Federation of Mentors for Girls and Young Women” and new ideas for national workshop)and Young Women” and new ideas for national workshop)

Our main activities in 2008Our main activities in 2008

Experts meeting on July 9,Experts meeting on July 9,

2008 in Skaistkalne2008 in Skaistkalne

Rural women summer schools in 2008 Rural women summer schools in 2008 - On July 22-23 in Vidzeme, Valka (about 30 participants)On July 22-23 in Vidzeme, Valka (about 30 participants)- On July 23-24 in Latgale, Ludza (about 80 participants)On July 23-24 in Latgale, Ludza (about 80 participants)- On August 5-6 in Vidzeme, Cēsis (about 100 participants)On August 5-6 in Vidzeme, Cēsis (about 100 participants)- On August 15-16 in Kurzeme, Īvande (about 30 participants)On August 15-16 in Kurzeme, Īvande (about 30 participants)- On August 15-16 in Vidzeme, Alūksne (about 50 participants)On August 15-16 in Vidzeme, Alūksne (about 50 participants)- On August 20 in Vidzeme, Valmiera (about 100 participants)On August 20 in Vidzeme, Valmiera (about 100 participants)- On August 22-23 in Latgale, Jēkabpils (about 30 participants)On August 22-23 in Latgale, Jēkabpils (about 30 participants)

Presentations on girls and young women in sociaty, mentoringPresentations on girls and young women in sociaty, mentoring

programs and project “European Federation of Mentors for Girlsprograms and project “European Federation of Mentors for Girls

And Young Women” (lectors prof. B.Rivža, as.prof. M.Krūzmētra,And Young Women” (lectors prof. B.Rivža, as.prof. M.Krūzmētra,

E.Konstantinova) E.Konstantinova)

Our main activities in 2008Our main activities in 2008

Rural women summer school in Vidzeme,Rural women summer school in Vidzeme,Valmiera on August 20, 2008 Valmiera on August 20, 2008

Rural women summer school in Rural women summer school in Latgale, JēkabpilsLatgale, Jēkabpils on on August 2August 222, 2008 , 2008

National wokshop on September 4-5, National wokshop on September 4-5, JelgavaJelgava

23 participants 23 participants Presentations of the representatives of project lead partner - Project Office for Presentations of the representatives of project lead partner - Project Office for

Innovative Social Policy Gerlinde Hacker and Doris HasenschwandtnerInnovative Social Policy Gerlinde Hacker and Doris Hasenschwandtner Presentation of International Zonta Club Jelgava - the overall situation of Presentation of International Zonta Club Jelgava - the overall situation of

girls and young women mentoring in Latvia. girls and young women mentoring in Latvia. Presentations of two young girls – Irina Maksimova and Madara Mežviete - Presentations of two young girls – Irina Maksimova and Madara Mežviete -

their experience within activities organized by International Zonta Jelgava their experience within activities organized by International Zonta Jelgava Club. Club.

Five presentations blocks, where women mentors and mentees shared theirFive presentations blocks, where women mentors and mentees shared theirexperience and also show some practical examples of their work : experience and also show some practical examples of their work : Mentoring for girls and young women in self and career development; Mentoring for girls and young women in self and career development; Mentoring for girls and young women in handicraft; Mentoring for girls and young women in handicraft; Mentoring for girls and young women in housekeeping, catering and child Mentoring for girls and young women in housekeeping, catering and child

care; Mentoring for girls and young women in tourism; care; Mentoring for girls and young women in tourism; Mentoring for girls and young women in wellness and beauty care –. Mentoring for girls and young women in wellness and beauty care –. The workshop has roused interest also for local mass media – regional TV and The workshop has roused interest also for local mass media – regional TV and

radio. radio.

Thank you for your attention!