Immediate past president of the Chattered institute of Bankers, RT. REV. MR.S Patricia Sappor, has revealed fear as the stumbling block to women ascending political and leadership heights.
She described women as mostly being reserved and shying away from trouble, hence, avoiding political and leadership positions.
“Fear is a major stumbling block of women in the pursuit of politics and leadership. We don’t want any troubles and because of how we are wired naturally, we don’t want to go for these positions. But I believe women are capable of achieving so much in the political space and other leadership roles,” she told Rev Erskine on Y107.9FM’s YLeaderBoard Series, a segment of the ‘Myd Morning Radio Show.’
A staunch believer of affirmative action, she posits although women do not like to compete for these positions, they always excel as leaders at the political and corporate space.
With women mostly being brushed off and assumed to be incapable of leadership like men, she called for a mindset change. “We should also know that there is nothing like women cannot do what men do. Women can function effectively and efficiently as men.”
She advised women to unsee themselves as incapable, but rather be full of self-confidence and not place any limitations on themselves. “Women should count on their intelligence and expect themselves being placed on that virtue.”
Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, data show that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide, and that achieving gender parity in political life is far off.
As of 19 September 2022, there are 28 countries where 30 women serve as Heads of State and/or Government. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 year.
Just 13 countries have a woman Head of State, and 15 countries have a woman Head of Government.
Only 21 per cent of government ministers were women, with only 14 countries having achieved 50 per cent or more women in cabinets. With an annual increase of just 0.52 percentage points, gender parity in ministerial positions will not be achieved before 2077.
By: Joel Sanco
