By: Laura Bea and Emily Mims, Women in Model UN Co-Founders
30 January 2021
Since the inception of intellectual debate, women have been left out of the conversation of politics, government, international relations, and global issues. Women have been turned away from libraries and told they could not attend school, limiting opportunities to experience life, to grow, and to learn. Today, women make up just a fraction of the greatest orators, politicians, and government officials to exist. Therein lies a problem. Women have constantly fought to prove their intellect, arguably in a capacity men have not had to, and though they are no longer turned away from libraries, plenty of women are still denied the right to education, the right to representation in government, and the right to be seen and heard. These disparities and challenges have been silently stirring underneath a facade of surface-level improvements, and have become apparent in communities such as Model UN. Here at Women in MUN, we can see it, and we are taking action.
After competing at the last conference of the 2020 academic year for the Florida Model UN Circuit in June 2020, we were disheartened by the experiences we faced as female delegates: sexism within the committee room, lack of attention when speaking, unnecessary commenting on appearances, and an overall sense of isolation from the male delegates in the room. Throughout the conference, we were approached with less enthusiasm and attention than our male peers. We were consistently ignored and pushed aside as other male delegates were chosen to share their ideas and speak. The only attention we got was seemingly from our appearances, and the only time we were able to speak, we were labeled “bossy” and “annoying” and “too loud.” And yet, This experience was not the first, and definitely not the last.
Thus, in July of 2020, Women in Model United Nations, currently headquartered in Florida, US, began as a response to the experience we endured in June. Having realized it was not an isolated incident, we felt a moral responsibility to speak up, and create a platform from which we could address the sexism we experienced in the committee room. Starting as a small, domestic organization, we focused on uniting women in the fight against gender inequality and sexism within the Model UN community. Throughout the month, we reached out to local Model UN teams in high school and college, gauging their thoughts and experiences in various conferences, focusing specifically on insights from women. After hearing similar testimonials of criticism in the MUN community: sexism, discrimination, judgment, labels, etc., we began to create a platform in which these stories could become a powerful voice in the fight against gender inequality. These testimonials and experiences became the foundation of what is now Women in MUN.
After launching an email marketing campaign and social media accounts, in just 6 months we now consist of over 400 active members, an executive board of 20 women, and high-end collaborations with representatives in global affairs and well-known Model UN organizations. Motivated by a deep desire to be heard, seen, and acknowledged, we sought to change the conversation about gender inequality for the better: a movement of unity and hope that would change the way we view feminism and women's success everywhere.
So, how do we do it? Addressing gender inequality and achieving results isn’t easy, and it isn’t quick. Nevertheless, our original, in-depth trainings have amassed support and advocacy from women across the US, helping us target a bigger audience in addressing gender inequality. On our website, we offer one-on-one office hour appointments with our international executive board members on any topic attendees choose (research writing, public speaking, basic skills, confidence tips, etc.). These appointments are designed to enhance the confidence and power needed to fight against gender inequality, and give members the individual training they need to succeed in every aspect of Model UN. Often, we offer sessions that are specifically tailored for men who are interested in becoming an ally and learning more about how they can help women feel more comfortable in activities and careers that are predominately contrived of men. Beyond having the opportunity to learn more about the different ways one can be an ally and push for feminism, our general meetings also give the women in our organization the opportunity to meet others who are just as dedicated to MUN and equality as they are, creating invaluable connections along the way. These connections, experiences, and insights are further reflected in our magazine, WMUN Magazine, where we offer a personal look into the challenges women face in the Model UN community and the advice we offer for those who are looking for it.
However, these successes have not been achieved without setbacks. As an organization, we were faced with failing collaborations, judgment from local chapters, and a lack of belief from many who predicted our goal was unreachable. Yet, these challenges have pushed our organization to work harder, focusing on collaborations that have similar goals, being accepting of everyone in the Model UN community, and establishing an international and domestic platform with a good reputation, one that is based on our successes as not just women, but as delegates, and as advocates.
“But aren’t you just limiting yourself to Model UN? How are you different from other organizations?” one might ask. Of all the organizations in the world, the United Nations has one of the most substantial impacts on individuals abroad in regards to empowerment, aid, and over 68 other areas of development. Having the opportunity to compete in simulations of this monument of diplomacy, concession, and resolution opens a world of untapped potential. Model UN invites discussion of politics and global affairs—spheres from which women have long been excluded—and invites young people to come up with solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. By empowering female delegates, we are inspiring the next generation of world leaders to take what they have learned in the Model UN community and use those abilities to create a more just and equitable society for themselves and for their future. Through Model UN, women learn that it is possible to be assertive without being rude; to be intelligent without standing behind another person. And above all, we learn that it is possible to be the face of success, not just a token additive in the background. WMUN provides the opportunity to achieve this, both in and outside the committee room. To us, honing in on this community of intelligent individuals and making it a safe space for all to communicate will, inevitably, change the world. Women in MUN’s mission is to show others that women do not need to be group secretaries, that a woman’s place is where decisions are being made, and that there is always room for more female representation in politics, government, and related areas. Contrary to other organizations, we focus on grassroots mobilization efforts through local community collaborations in the United States and are **working our way up to international proposals with well-known organizations such as UN Women. Our foundation as an organization is based on our ability to offer a range of options for resources, taking into account the various methods of education and different challenges faced by the members of WMUN. We aim to provide resources that fit each and every member in addressing their challenges, in hopes that they can teach others what they learned within the organization.
As we continue to grow as an organization, we will continue to represent females who are looking for a platform and an opportunity to speak up, and to share their fight against gender inequality. We will continue to expand opportunities for women in the Model UN community in the United States who are searching for answers to their questions and solutions for their disheartened experiences as well. We will continue to grow our family domestically, and inspire others around the world to do the same. Having acquired members from over 20 different countries, we will continue to expand our international presence and motivate others to join the movement.
Together, we will continue to achieve our GIRL Goals:
Grow female involvement in MUN
Improve the skills and confidence of women within Model United Nations
Retain dedication to encouraging women to enter male-dominated career paths
**Love and promote women in all their endeavors.
Promoting equality, becoming an ally, and bringing awareness to organizations like WMUN and others who are advocating for gender equality is imperative in the survival and momentum of the movement altogether. As we continue to educate and support female and minority communities abroad, we hope to inspire others to join us and engage in their own fights against sexism and inequality. We hope to always remind women that we don’t have to settle for the bare minimum. We have to shatter the bar and set it very, very high.
To learn more about our organization, visit our website at womeninmun.weebly.com or contact us at womeninmun@gmail.com for general questions, membership interests, or proposals.
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