Christine Lagarde

[Bennifer]

So, Christine Lagarde has been appointed IMF boss. I haven't seen this discussed yet (apologies if I've missed it).

What does this mean for women, if anything?

[MooncupGoddess]

Well, it is always cheering to see a woman get a top job, especially, as in this case, when it has previously been a bastion of Western male privilege (and its previous holder was a vile sexual predator).

I don't know enough about Largarde's policies to comment more intelligently but there is a decent piece by Zoe Williams here:

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/29/christine-lagarde-imf-feminism

[aliceliddell]

Lagarde will do what the IMF does - privatise and cut. Look at Greece. Public sector cuts are bad newsfor women, as employees and service users. One woman's career at every other woman's expense.

[vesuvia]

As a reaction to the behaviour of her predecessor (Dominique Strauss-Kahn), the IMF have included an additional ethics clause in the contract of Christine Lagarde. It states:

"As managing director, you are expected to observe the highest standards of ethical conduct, consistent with the values of integrity, impartiality and discretion. You shall strive to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in your conduct."

Strauss-Kahn's contract stated only :

"avoid any conflict of interest, or the appearance of such a conflict."


More details at www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jul/05/christine-lagarde-ethics-clause