What is the main message of Fast Forward?

The main message of Fast Forward is that gender equality is not just a women's issue, it is an imperative for social and economic progress.

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Management & Leadership

Fast Forward Book Summary - Fast Forward Book explained in key points

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Name: Fast Forward
Rating: 4.6 (18 reviews)
Author: Melanne Verveer and Kim K. Azzarelli

Melanne Verveer Kim K. Azzarelli

How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose

4.6 (18 ratings)

17 mins

Brief summary

'Fast Forward' by Melanne Verveer and Kim K. Azzarelli is a call to action for women's empowerment. It presents stories and insights on gender equality and offers concrete steps to accelerate women's progress in every aspect of life.

Topics

Women's Stories Success Gender & Sexuality

Table of Contents

Fast Forward
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Get inspired to end gender inequality!

Over the course of the last century, women have gained considerable economic and political power; they’ve inched closer to achieving equal rights and started conquering the workplace. Indeed, women today are a force to be reckoned with, and powerful women in all spheres of public life use their influence to push women's rights even further. In other words, it seems like we’re approaching a truly equal society, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not really the case. Globally, women must struggle for the rights and recognition that men take for granted – such basics as respect, freedom and independence. But the situation isn’t hopeless. As more and more women occupy positions of economic power, and as they gain recognition as a demographic brimming with economic potential, we may soon witness the fast-forward change that will put women where they should be: on an equal footing with everyone else.

In these blinks, you’ll find out

that having three or more female board members increases returns by 50 percent;
that a mere 4.4 percent of all US business loans went to female entrepreneurs; and
how Grameen Bank has helped women increase their independence.

Women are the driving force of change in the modern world.

Just a few decades ago, it wasn’t unusual to hear statements like, “Women shouldn’t vote or drive cars and God knows they don’t belong in politics.” Disturbingly, such sentiments still predominate in some countries. The world is changing, however: women are gaining more power and having a greater impact on society.

In recent years there have been more female leaders, such as German chancellor Angela Merkel, American Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton and Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF. Those women fought hard to make it in a male-dominated world and they’re leveling the playing field with their success.

Women are also making strides in the world of business. In 2014, the United States had around nine million women-owned businesses that employed over 7.9 million workers and made over 1.4 trillion dollars in revenue. If, for instance, Egypt’s workforce contained as many women as men, the country’s GDP would rise by about 34 percent.

In fact, women are likely to be the force that drives this century’s global development. About a billion women are ready to enter the global economy – a number comparable to the population of China or India. These women will start new businesses, change the political landscape and increase the quality of life for both their families and their communities.

In the future we’ll also have more female entrepreneurs and business leaders, which will change the business environment. This is already happening and having a positive impact: studies show that Fortune 500 companies with three or more female board members have a 50 percent higher equity return than those all-male boards.

We’re on the brink of a major shift in global power. Women are truly poised to change the world.

Women are still oppressed in most countries.

Women may have massive global potential, but, in most countries, they’re still barred from opportunity and considered inferior. This mistreatment and subjugation comes in many forms.

Sexual violence, for instance, is still one of the foremost dangers faced by women. Assault, rape, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, child marriage and sex slavery are more widespread than most would think – even in Western countries.

Companies benefit from employing more women.

Most people subconsciously picture a man when they hear the term “CEO.” That’s not only because of how we’re socialized; it reflects reality, too. Most CEOs are men. There are more than a few reasons this needs to change.

Companies actually become stronger and more profitable when they place women in executive positions, a fact that few companies take advantage of.

Women across all levels of society need to be empowered – not only those at the top!

We certainly need more women in leadership positions; however, that doesn’t mean neglecting those at the base of society. Women at lower levels of the workforce – or those not in the workforce at all – are just as important to global development.

There are millions of impoverished female farmers in rural areas and millions of women toiling away in garment factories for virtually no pay. Their lives and well-being are constantly under threat; many can’t even read. In fact, women account for around 70 percent of the global population that lives in poverty.

Female empowerment has a number of positive effects on society.

Female empowerment isn’t only good for women. As more and more women gain power in society, something important and marvelous happens: the multiplier effect.

The multiplier effect says that when you empower one woman, you empower many. Since, until recently, so many women have had so few chances, the empowerment of one woman triggers a chain reaction. Female leaders are more likely to help other women gain access to education and financial security; this, in turn, will create more female leaders, who will then empower more women.

Women can develop powerful new enterprises when they overcome obstacles in the business world.

One might think that it’s only women in poor countries who truly struggle. However, women in developed countries also face serious obstacles in the business world.

Many female entrepreneurs have difficulty securing sufficient credit, for example, which is a vital part of founding a business. Many assume that banks treat men and women equally in Western countries; that, however, is a patently misguided assumption.

Women need leeway to find their purpose and build a network of like-minded people.

Having a sense of purpose in life is just as important as finding happiness. Everyone wants to do something meaningful that will make the world a slightly better place.

Naturally, this applies equally to women and men! Women also need space to figure out what they want to do with their lives, whether that means becoming a successful leader, a politician or a stay-at-home mom. People who live without a sense of purpose never truly feel fulfilled; they might while away their life doing something they don’t truly care about.

The three keys to ending gender inequality are education, technology and media.

A young girl from a remote village in Kenya will have few opportunities to learn about the global fight for gender equality. She’s more likely to be married off at a young age, undergo female circumcision and then have children before she’s mature enough to care for them.

Such are the obstacles to global gender equality. However, we have to start somewhere, and education is key. Education enables girls to understand their own rights and power, and equips them to empower those around them.

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What is Fast Forward about?

Fast Forward (2015) is about one of the most underappreciated resources on earth: women. These blinks, which argue that women will be the key to this century’s greatest achievements, outline many of the myriad problems that women face, as well as the steps we can take to solve them.

Fast Forward Review

Fast Forward (2015) by Melanne Verveer and Kim K. Azzarelli is an enlightening book that sheds light on the global progress of women's rights and empowerment. Here's why this book is worth reading:

It showcases compelling stories and firsthand accounts of women who have made significant contributions to society, inspiring readers to make a difference themselves.
By providing a comprehensive overview of key issues affecting women worldwide, the book educates readers and raises awareness about the importance of gender equality.
With its accessible language and engaging narrative, the book ensures that readers stay captivated and fully immersed in the stories and insights shared.

Best quote from Fast Forward

Women own or lead over a quarter of private businesses worldwide and are in charge of 20 trillion dollars in customer spending each year.

—Melanne Verveer and Kim K. Azzarelli

Who should read Fast Forward?

Feminists and human rights activists
Anyone interested in global power politics
People who want to make the world a better place

About the Author

In 2009, Melanne Verveer was appointed the very first US Ambassador-At-Large for Global Women’s Issues. A co-founder of Seneca Women, she’s the executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security.

Kim K. Azzarelli is also a co-founder of Seneca Women and chair of Cornell Law School’s Avon Global Center for Women and Justice. She’s held senior positions at Goldman Sachs, Avon, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.

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Management & Leadership Society & Culture

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