( February 1, 2018 ) — Today, Chicago Foundation for Women ( CFW ) announced the third annual Talk It Out conversation series will focus on #MeToo, the national reckoning with sexual harassment and abuse, and how women and men can work together to end sexual harassment.
Talk It Out is a week-long, region-wide conversation series designed to spark honest dialogue and understanding about gender bias as part of Women's History Month. CFW will host Talk It Out: #MeToo the week of March 18 - 24, 2018.
Revelations about sexual harassment from Hollywood to Chicago's own Ford factory, and shared online using the hashtag #MeToo, have sparked a growing national awareness of sexual harassment and the abuse faced by women at work, at home and in our communities.
"#MeToo sparked a national dialogue about sexual harassment like never before," CFW President/CEO K. Sujata said. "It is no longer possible to deny the size and scope of harassment faced by women. Now we must find solutions to end it."
"This is not an issue of women versus men," Sujata added. "Sexual harassment is a symptom of gender bias, a problem which affects us all. A true solution will take women and men working together - and that starts with honest and open dialogue. We hope Talk It Out gives women and men the language and confidence to carry on the conversation beyond this week, as active members of the movement to end gender bias."
Anyone can host a Talk It Out conversation. Individuals, community groups and organizations can sign up to host a conversation online at www.cfw.org/talkitout. Registered hosts will receive a toolkit with questions to start the conversation and tips for hosting.
Talk It Out was launched in 2016 as part of CFW's 100% Project, an all-in, all-out effort to increase women's economic security and put an end to gender bias in metropolitan Chicago within a generation. Talk It Out is the first step, encouraging individuals and groups across our region to have conversations about gender bias in order to develop collective solutions.
In 2017, approximately 100 groups across the education, business, arts and nonprofit sectors participated in Talk It Out. In a survey of Talk It Out participants, 67 percent said the conversation changed the way they think about their experiences. 72 percent said Talk It Out changed the actions they will take to challenge gender bias at home and work.
Community members can join in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #TalkItOut, and participate in a Twitter chat on Wednesday, March 21 at 12 p.m. CST.
About Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago Foundation for Women invests in women and girls as catalysts, building strong communities for all. CFW funds organizations working to solve the biggest problems facing women and girls: economic insecurity, violence, and access to health care and information. In addition to grantmaking, CFW invests in developing women leaders and advocates, and brings together diverse coalitions to collaborate, share resources and develop solutions. To learn more, visit www.cfw.org
