Mónica de Pinto Ribeiro Hancke, MA International Development Studies, Class of 2016, #ElliottProud Alumni
Mónica de Pinto Ribeiro Hancke is the Advocacy and Partnerships Manager for Women Thrive Alliance. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Communications and Theatre Education from Emerson College in Boston (2014) and a Master’s degree in International Development Studies with a concentration on Gender Equality Policy and Programming from the Elliott School (2016). Mónica has worked in Nicaragua, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, and Timor-Leste bridging the women’s rights movement and international development community working on gender-based violence prevention and response, girls’ education, and non-violent conflict resolution and peace-building (through theatre). She is a proud Third-Culture-Kid and speaks Portuguese, English, French, Dutch and Norwegian.
Describe your current position and what are your primary responsibilities?
As the Advocacy and Partnerships Manager at Women Thrive Alliance – a global feminist advocacy network of over 300 grassroots women’s rights organizations in 53 countries – I have two key responsibilities: firstly, I oversee the recruitment and engagement of our Alliance members providing them coaching so they can strengthen their advocacy to increase gender-transformative policies, programs, and services in their countries. Secondly, I design and lead our global advocacy campaigns to ensure grassroots women’s rights advocates’ equal representation and leadership in Sustainable Development Goal-era decision-making processes and accountability mechanisms at the United Nations and with the U.S. Government. In a nutshell, my position is very much as a bridge that connects local advocates to global processes wherein they do not only deserve to be in the room or at the table but leading the decision-making.
What are the current trends driving the future of your career field and what advice would you provide an Elliott School graduate student that is interested in your field of work?
To remain relevant, the gender and development “field” must re-politicize and realign itself with intersectional feminist and gender justice movements: if we are to (ever) achieve global gender equality, we must have the voices of those most marginalized from decision-making leading the conversation. We have seen a resurgence of activism and the feminist movement here in the U.S. following the 2016 Presidential election and that momentum must be leveraged. That same momentum has existed, and continues to thrive, in other parts of the world despite an active attack on the women’s rights movement and feminist activists. My advice to students interested in the “gender and development field” is: tap into your inner activist (if you haven’t already), get political and mobilize locally (and globally), and really connect yourself with grassroots advocates. Gender justice work is a marathon, not a sprint, so prepare yourself for that, and be ready to disrupt the system!
When you need inspiration, you … ?
When I can, I travel – as a Third-Culture-Kid (someone raised in countries and cultures neither of my parents are from), I am at my most empowered state when I am on the go, between place A and B, and in anticipation of new discoveries and experiences. On a more practical level, I seek out workshops, events, conferences, etc and open myself up to new thoughts and ideas from others. And on a daily basis, I start my day reading a Rupi Kaur poem (highly recommend) and throughout the day, I browse my Google Play Music stations for the latest dance/electronic songs to keep my mind a flutter. Also, at the office, we take mid-afternoon, team plank breaks – I kid you not, they are effective: 1-minute planking as a team really does hit a reset button somewhere in my brain.
If you were a box of cereal, what kind would you be and why?
Rice Krispies, because I snap, crackle and pop.
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The #ElliottProud profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights graduate program alumni to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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