Women's Leadership

The struggle for gender parity in politics is far from over, but this week I felt a surge of hope for the future. This optimism stems not only from the increasing prominence of women in political leadership, exemplified by the potential for a woman to win the 2024 presidential election but also from a powerful gathering I attended on Tuesday.

Organized by RepresentWomen and Vote Run Lead, the luncheon was held as an ancillary event to the Democratic National Convention. "Women are the Winning Strategy: Solutions from the States" featured influential speakers such as Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and policy advocate Maya Harris, along with women leaders from across the country.

The gathering not only highlighted the critical role of women in shaping the political landscape but also provided a fertile ground for fostering female leadership and activism.

A shared mission

RepresentWomen and Vote Run Lead are united in their commitment to dismantling the barriers that have historically hindered women's participation in politics.

RepresentWomen focuses on structural reforms, including ranked-choice voting and gender quotas, aiming to create a political environment where women can thrive. Vote Run Lead complements this mission by offering training and resources to women aspiring to run for office, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate and succeed in political campaigns.

The synergy between these two organizations is a powerful force in the movement for gender parity. RepresentWomen tackles the systemic issues that keep women out of politics, while Vote Run Lead empowers individual women to step into the political arena with confidence and competence. Together, they are not just advocating for change — they are actively creating it.

Read here the full article published by The Fulcrum on 23 August 2024.

Image by The Fulcrum

Last month several women rose to the top echelons of international politics. Kamala Harris emerged as the lead presidential candidate of the U.S. Democratic Party, Ursula von der Leyen was elected to serve a second term as president of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas was appointed foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU), and Rachel Reeves became Britain’s first female chancellor.

And yet feminists, while generally pleased, were not particularly jubilant. Every success counts, they say, particularly if Harris becomes the U.S. president and acquires the most influential political office in the world. But there’s little reason to think that the arrival of a few women in top positions will change how international affairs are conducted in a male-dominated world.

According to the United Nations (U.N.), at the current rate it will take nearly a century and a half to achieve gender equality in the highest positions of power and almost four more decades to achieve gender parity in national legislative bodies. There are simply not enough women in top jobs to give the concerted, collected push needed to implement a feminist foreign policy and usher in the radically different global order that feminist intellectuals desire.

Read here the full article published by Foreign Policy on 12 August 2024.

Image by Foreign Policy

In a deliberate effort to encourage more women to pursue leadership roles, WILAN Global is set to launch a documentary on women, who contested elections into various offices in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

The documentary, which premieres on Channels Television on August 31, will delve into the compelling stories of women who participated in the last general elections.

Titled, ‘Her fight, our future: Women in Nigeria Politics,’ the insightful documentary captures their journeys, highlighting their struggles, joy and pains as they navigate the political landscape. The documentary provides an intimate look at the experiences of the courageous women, shedding light on the challenges they faced and the triumphs they achieved.

It also aims at inspiring future generations of women leaders by showcasing the resilience and determination of those who dared to make a difference in Nigeria’s political arena.

The founder and executive director, Abosede George-Ogan, expressed excitement about the documentary.

“We are thrilled to bring these powerful stories to the forefront. This documentary is not just about politics; it’s about the strength, passion, and unwavering spirit of women who stepped into the political spotlight to create change. Their experiences are a testament to the impact women can have in shaping the future of our nation,” she enthused.

Read here the full article published by The Sun on 11 August 2024.

Image by The Sun

Globally, history has shown that politics is predominantly male dominated, where women were not expected to hold significant political views or opinions. This reality is also evident in Africa, where men occupy most major political positions in African countries.

However, in South Africa, the political landscape has evolved significantly toward greater inclusivity since the end of Apartheid.

While there have been advancements in terms of inclusivity, women are still under-represented in nearly all major political parties and top positions in South Africa, perpetuating gender inequalities across various sectors of the country.

Increasing women’s participation in politics will help address and advocate for women’s rights, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote gender equality.

There is a common misconception that women are incapable of effective leadership due to perceived weaknesses in decision-making, leading to unreliable outcomes.

However, women’s political participation is crucial for a healthy democracy, and it is time for women to step up and claim their rightful place in the political arena. Women in politics can also serve as role models for young girls, inspiring them to aspire to leadership positions.

Factors such as age, education level, influence, financial strength, and access to health facilities encourage women to engage fully in political activities. Conversely, illiteracy, lack of capital, and discouragement from spouses, among others, can hinder women’s political participation.

Read here the full article published by The African on 9 August 2024.

Image by The African

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned and fled the country in the face of ongoing protests.

The longtime leader of the country has boarded a military helicopter, an aide told Al Jazeera, after crowds ignored a national curfew to storm the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka.

Close to 300 people have died amid weeks of protest the authorities have sought to crush. Following a night of deadly violence that killed close to 100 on Sunday, tension had remained high on Monday as protesters called for a march on Dhaka and the army prepared to address the nation.

By early afternoon, however, media reported that the mood on the streets had turned to one of celebration after the news of Hasina’s departure spread.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has cancelled his planned address and is instead holding talks with major political parties, including the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Images on national television showed thousands of people breaking into the prime minister’s official residence. It also showed large crowds of protesters out in the street in scenes of jubilation as the news of the departure of Hasina started spreading.

Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Shahbag Square – the epicentre of the student protesters – said he has “never witnessed something like this” in the capital.

Read here the full article published by Aljazeera on 5 August 2024.

Image by Aljazeera