It is one thing to strive towards
achieving a 50/50 women representation, but it does not mean anything if women
only hold positions of low stature where they are unable to influence the decision
making process.
Often times, the statistics that
are used to support the progress towards equal representation are taken at face
value, but when examined in greater detail, one realizes that it is the men who
are still in control.
This continuous trend of the
dominant men is probably due to our social construct that has created or
conditioned an unconscious bias, in both men and women, that men are better
leaders than women. When we think of leaders, we think of men. This explains why women who are in power and
those aspiring to higher positions in society are treated with contempt and
disrespect.
Coming back to the statistics, take
for example the data on parliamentary representation which seems to have become
a benchmark for a country’s progress on gender equality and representation. When
you take a closer look at some of these data, you discover that most women are just
mere members of parliament (MP) or deputy ministers, positions that are
considered insignificant. The same goes for the public and private sectors,
where the term ‘management’ is overemphasized to make it look as if women
representation is substantial, when in actual fact, the women hold low ranking
management positions while the majority of senior level positions are occupied
by men. Sometimes, some positions are deliberately reclassified into the
management category to beef up the numbers, for the sake of compliance and
public relations.
As a Namibia, I was disappointed that
the women’s wing of the ruling party failed to back or put forward a female
Presidential candidate for the 2017 Presidential elections, because they felt
that no one was ready to challenge the nominated male nominee. So disappointing
that women don’t have confidence in themselves and don’t support those who are
willing to take up the challenge.
This happens everywhere in the
world, with the best example of Hilary Clinton who was Presidential candidate
for the Democratic Party in the 2016 Presidential elections. The harsh
criticism she received from many, including those in her own party was based
more on our social bias towards women leaders, because I am pretty sure that had
she been a man, she would have made it into the oval office. We all saw how her
opponent who despite his racist and misogynistic views, his divisive rhetoric
and disrespect for anyone, but himself, not to mention his lack of experience,
didn’t seem to matter to people. Again, it all comes down to our social bias,
social conditioning, generational bias of what a leader is, especially in
public office. Traditionally, when we think of leaders, we think of dominance,
confidence, forcefulness and a no-nonsense attitude, characters that her
opponent demonstrated and is known for.
Had he been a woman, he probably would not have made it to the
Presidency.
Yes, there has been significant
progress in gender equality, women’s rights and women representation in key
decision roles, but it is a progress that is moving at a slow pace, because of women
who are doubtful of their own capabilities and the capabilities of their female
counterparts to lead at the upmost top.
It is possible to break the glass
ceiling completely and have an even playing field, but it is up to the women to
fight for what is theirs.
