Saudi’s first female film-maker and other gender stories of the week

This week’s digest of stories about how the gender gap plays out around the world – in business, health, education and politics. Subscribe here to receive this by email.

Top three ways to get more women into power. “Even if quotas don’t exist, act as if they do.” (World Economic Forum)

Saudi’s first female film-maker. While the Oscars celebrate Hollywood glitz, find out about the woman who shot her story from the shadows. (World Economic Forum)

Boko Haram is not a feminist problem. Reducing it to gender violence “is a distortion”. (allAfrica)

Female managers are biased, too. Two employees are labelled “aggressive”. One gets promoted, the other gets coaching. Guess why. (LinkedIn)

The flipside of technology. Victimising women is all too easy on the internet. (World Economic Forum)

Women directors change how boards work. Quotas in Norway have disrupted established hierarchies of power and privilege. (Harvard Business Review)

The world’s “craziest anti-women laws”. In Singapore, marital rape is legal as long as the girl is over 13. (Daily Beast)

Hire women for less corporate fraud. Female CFOs are more likely to behave morally. (The Atlantic)

Nigeria’s determined female scientists. “Working as a professor isn’t an easy job anywhere. But scientists in many low-income countries cope with problems unheard of elsewhere.” (NPR)

The costs of not offering paid maternity leave. New mothers end up on benefits and employers lose talent. (Fortune)

The life of a female soldier in the Congolese army. “I know that I am beautiful. But for my first marriage, I choose my country.” (New York Times)

The rise of gender capitalism. A new investment trend making an impact for girls and women. (Stanford Social Innovation Review)

Princess Awesome.  A clothing line for girls featuring mathematical symbols and dancing ninjas breaks Kickstarter records. (Guardian)

Statistic of the Week

80% of Oscar nominees are men, roughly matching the 77% male voting members of the Academy.

Quote of the Week

“If you feel something, do something about it. Keep being outraged! … Our courage doesn’t come from desperation; it’s a courage that comes from seeing problems as challenges.”

Hina Jilani, advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, who founded Pakistan’s first all women law firm.

Author: Ceri Parker is an Associate Director at the World Economic Forum, and edits the Agenda blog platform.

Image: Saudi Arabian director Haifaa al-Mansour (R) and actress Waad Mohammed pose with a bicycle on the red carpet during the premiere screening of “Wadjda” during the 69th Venice Film Festival in Venice August 31, 2012. REUTERS/Max Rossi