Sky is the limit for African women leaders

The election of modern Africa’s first woman President, Ms Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, is a huge testimony to the women-folk in Africa that there is no shortage of inspiration for the top job. In the 1990s, Charity Ngilu and Prof Wangari Maathai of Kenya headed political parties. Ngilu unsuccessfully vied for the Presidency in the 1997 elections. But she drove a point home. The new United Nations Deputy Secretary General, a law professor, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, is the first African woman to hold this prestigious post. Today, Joyce Mujuru is a woman VP in Zimbabwe, its political disquiet notwithstanding.

The trend is on the increase as more women take up the leadership challenges than ever before. In South Africa, Winnie Madigizela-Mandela was a shining example of black women’s power for decades and today Dr Nkosazana Zuma, a woman, is the country’s VP. These women have demystified the previously held view that top party and government posts are the preserve of men. There is an open competition for top party posts between men and women. Some analysts say the elevation of women mostly through ascription rather than merit is a gimmick being carefully used by some crafty male politicians to alienate the ambitious and in some cases threaten male contenders from the corridors of power, thereby consolidating their hold on power. This view is however subject to intense debate.

Larger pools

Today, an increasing number of women politicians continue to fight hard for democracy, human and political rights, peace and justice across the African continent.

The increase in educational opportunities for girls and women in post-Independence Africa has seen the emergence of a larger pool of capable women who are in strategic positions to vie for political office. The increase in educational opportunities has resulted in an increased awareness of issues of politics and governance amongst women in Africa.

The list of capable women in African politics is endless and these women have made great strides in fighting for equal rights as men and sometimes under very difficult and intimidating circumstances. In some African countries women have actually made greater inroads into mainstream politics, again a formidable achievement. In Nigeria, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman Finance Minister in a predominantly male dominated society. She demonstrated that she was indeed a special breed of the African woman. Ngozi’s triumph has motivated other African women of substance to fight for their place in top-notch politics. The challenge from their men-folk is huge, but the women have not given up their struggle for a greater say in politics and indeed in the business world.

It is well known that these prominent women belong to different political persuasions, social and business backgrounds, but their resolve to fight for recognition and power has kept them united. The truth is that women support each other in situations where it is clear that they have worked hard and deserve their posts. Those who are un-deserving and patronizing do not always get the blessing of their female counterparts and often struggle to keep their heads above the water. Today’s African women do not just blindly invest their faith in another woman for power simply because of gender but for efficiency and accountability in return.

Jealous spouses

Women in the developing world, including Africa, find themselves underrepresented in politics and alienated from real decision making levels. The political playing field in most African countries remains critically uneven and not conducive to greater women’s participation in politics. This is because some women naturally consider themselves weak and incapable and are therefore too reticent to run for public office. Some feel inferior to men, they just cannot believe in themselves although they might be more educated and well informed. Some are afraid of the gruesome nature of politics. Some just do not measure up and use their families as an excuse for non-participation in politics.

Unfortunately, general perceptions often suggest that women‘s "proper" place is still in the kitchen rather than in the annals of political activism. Subtly, prohibitive cultural attitudes against women’s involvement in politics persist among both men and women. These are usually reflected in the voting patterns and skewed media coverage of female candidates. In some cases women politicians, especially the single ones, are unjustifiably branded "loose women" and "unfit" mothers. These comments are utterly undeserving and do not in any way help women’s quest for political ascendancy in leadership. Some women are just gullible and are used by daring men as window dressing candidates meant to gain votes for them.

Males dominate politics in terms of making the rules as well as defining standards. In some cases women’s rights to vote remain restricted chiefly because most candidates in the field are men. Some women cannot afford to stand for office because they cannot get permission from their husbands, who are either jealous or just cannot stand the challenge. However, research indicates that political structures rather than social factors play a more significant role in women’s participation in legislative politics.

The selection and nomination process within political parties is usually biased against women and this discourages them. Many women struggle to balance family life with the demands of political responsibilities that often involve late, unsocial hours, constant travel and constant contact with men. Some are very afraid of the perception of politics as a dirty game. Literacy problems, lack of political experience, limited access to the media and political networks, the prevalence of double standards and difficulties in accessing resources have also been identified as impediments for some potentially capable and aspiring women politicians. Some women politicians have lamented the lack of adequate and consistent support from top leadership in some instances. In essence, the nature and magnitude of problems facing women politicians today is complicated.

It is also fair to state that some men are very supportive of female candidates for higher political office and this often raises the morale of those robust and well-grilled women who have chosen politics for a career. However, it’s unfortunate that in the majority of times the wider political structures weigh heavily against them. It is ironic that most top female politicians in government in Africa today are appointed rather than elected office bearers. Elected or appointed, there is a strong realisation that the ascendancy of women to power is becoming not only threatening to their male counterparts but inevitable in many instances in Africa today.

Significant headway

Women who seek political office in Africa face an uphill task in terms of recognition in an inherently male dominated political scene. Tradition has been carefully used to disenfranchise any female contenders for power but not any more. However, if women in Africa today want to make significant headway on the power front they need to have an increased presence in the legislature and other influential political institutions. Those who have made it to the top have become very visible, assertive, vocal and conspicuously influential. Ms Johnson-Sirleaf has become an iconic figure in African politics and has paved the way for more women to follow suit. There is no shortage of exemplary, charismatic, visionary and strategic leaders amongst African women and these are the people who can change the fortunes of their respective countries.

Reprinted from www.africaresource.com