When Women Fight As Decision Makers

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Women are catalysts of change. They are dynamic leaders that magnetize women and men to get involved, improve their communities, and protect their planet. Their involvement is crucial to democratic governance. However, women still are underrepresented in leadership positions. These occur in business sectors and even in political positions.

Women are held back by discriminatory laws and practices. There is a mere 11 percent increase in women parliamentarians since the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women was held in 1995. Although there have been some slight changes in women being in leadership areas, there will not be big bangs with gender equality in governments and other private sectors until the next century.

One of the 12 critical areas of concern during the Platform for Action or the Beijing conference agreement, was in regards to women in power and decision-making. Its thrusts involved involving women to equal access and to full participation in power structures and decision-making. The second one involves increasing the ability of women to participate in public speaking, leadership training, and political campaigning.

Data on Gender Gap

From 1995 to 2015, there is a significant narrowing of the gender gap in various aspects of public life in developing countries. There is a shift from 11.3% to 22.0% of the global proportion of women national parliamentarians during this 30 year period.Women comprised 40% of the formal labor force and 27% of judges worldwide in 2011. Women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies increased from 0 in 1995 to 26 in 2015, according to a report of ODI Org.

Achieving Equality in the Workplace

McKinsey & Company’s When Women Matter 2016 report recommends three steps to decrease women’s economic gender gap. These include increasing the number of hours worked by women, increasing the participation of women in the workforce, and increasing women representation in high-productivity sectors. These steps resolve the present scenario that propels women to participate in part-time labor while providing the majority of unpaid services that include housework and caregiving. Women’s economic potential can be realized by decreasing their share of unpaid hours and part-time unemployment rate.

Advancing Women in Political Power and Leadership

Improving the lives of women is now gaining worldwide action. Several bilateral and multilateral agencies are supporting advocacies in reducing gender inequalities. The most recent 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes specific aim on the full and effective participation of women in all decision-making levels, as reported by ODI Org.

Conclusion

Women are entitled to equal participation in leadership positions. Once they are posted in decision-making roles, they can truly make a difference that will benefit various levels in society. As more agencies and government institutions give due importance to women, the higher the probability of helping this world a better place to be.

Hurrah for women as leaders.