Hanna Franck-Larsson ’12 of Uppsala, Sweden, clearly remembers when she first started thinking of men and women differently. She was 10 years old and found herself giving more crumbs to the female ducks at a nearby pond.
“I figured that they would need more energy to be able to take care of their ducklings,” she said. “My logic may have been flawed at this time, but it is where I started to see inequalities and differences in society.”
Fast forward to 2012, and Franck-Larsson is now heading to the United Nations (U.N.) as an invited participant at the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, Feb. 25-March 3, at the U.N. headquarters in New York. A double major in political science and international studies with a minor in women studies, Franck-Larsson is one of only 20 women students chosen from across the United States to participate in the Practicum, which offers an opportunity to observe how the United Nations works to address issues requiring multilateral engagement and coordinated action.
“It is a great honor to be selected,” Franck-Larsson said. “I believe that the knowledge and capacities of women are often neglected in our world today, and that society is at a loss when cutting half of its human resources off. To me, it’s important to attempt to find new ways to approach gender inequality, but also to highlight the difference in representation where we least expect it.”
The Practicum on the Commission on the Status of Women is sponsored by the Center for Women's Health and Human Rights at Suffolk University, Boston; the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the National Women's Studies Association. As part of the experience, Franck-Larsson will gain temporary delegate status, attend official and non-government organization (NGO) sessions, and contribute to the official documentation of both official and NGO meetings. In addition to learning about negotiation, advocacy points, and networking, Franck-Larsson must also complete several assignments, the most important of which is to create an advocacy project when she returns to Wittenberg’s campus.
“We teach the women how important citizen engagement is,” said Laura Roskos, president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and activist-in-residence at the Center for Women’s Health and Human Rights. She and Amy Agigian, the Center’s founding director, serve as faculty at the Practicum. “The [participants] figure out the ropes, learn how to network with NGOs, meet government officials and participate in turning specific proposals into documents that can be adopted by U.N. bodies. This success empowers them to engage in successful civic campaigns in their home environments.”
Already active in advocacy on campus, including serving as a sexual assault advocate and founding Women in Power, Franck-Larsson is also completing her honor’s thesis, which examines equal representation worldwide.
“So far, my honors thesis is focusing on the different factors that influence a higher level of equal representation between men and women in democracies all over the world,” Franck-Larsson said. “In my past research, I found that a higher level of women in the official workforce leads to a more equal level of representation. Another important factor is the type of political system, as proportional representation systems tend to have a more equal representation. Further predictors are, for example, openness to women in higher positions, cultural factors and networking.”
Her home country of Sweden has also influenced her thinking.
“Sweden is considered one of the most gender equal countries in the world and its approach is a little bit different there than anywhere else I have been,” Franck-Larsson said. “This, together with my travels, has made me more aware of inequalities. Of course, Sweden is not perfect, but it has given me a specific framework and approach to gender.”
At the same, Franck-Larsson also credits her parents for encouraging her and her siblings to be socially aware.
“Both of my parents have always thought it important to raise me and my two younger brothers with love for any kind of activity or interest we might have, no matter the gender stereotype. This has extended to a freedom with which we have been able to approach the world, and to see that not everybody else has the same opportunities. Social awareness was always important during my upbringing, both for inequalities in resources and gender. At home, we have always talked a lot about inequalities and what we can possibly do to help others, as well as imagine being in other people's shoes when trying to solve conflicts.”
Her professors at Wittenberg have also encouraged her.
“Having the personal attention we have here at Wittenberg can be intimidating at first, but as soon as you get to know your professors, you know that they will always be there for you and support you in your work,” Franck-Larsson said. “My professors have challenged, supported, pushed and inspired me. It is through conversations with them that I have managed to succeed in the work I do, and the constant mentoring is something that I will always appreciate.”
After graduation in May, Franck-Larsson is considering graduate school either in the United States or Sweden, where she will work on an M.A. in diplomacy and international relations. She may also consider working for a few years before earning her M.A.
“My hope is to work in the advocacy world and especially with vulnerable women to help them have more choices to better their situations,” she said, adding that Wittenberg has prepared her for any path she takes.
“The liberal arts curriculum has taught me not only about my majors, but also within the general education program including physics, fencing, photography, writing, economics and history,” Franck-Larsson said. “I am still amazed how these areas overlap and how my understanding of the world is much broader because of that. I have also gained experiences in leadership positions, through studying abroad in Chile and work experience outside the classroom, including volunteer work,” she added.
“I am ready for the next step in my life because I have learned what my strengths are and because people have believed in me and given me opportunities here.”
Written By: Karen Gerboth
Photo By: Erin Pence
