23/10/2018
To Women who will be running for the next elections.
When I was elected as Chairwoman of ALMADINA FINANCIAL, I was determined to show that I brought to it the fact that I was a woman and was going to do it with various skills and I felt that they were enabling, problem solving, being more inclined not so much to want to lead in a kind of a natural way, but rather to lead by discussion and empowerment of others, to lead by example, lead by nurturing. But there is still a double standard for women office holder. If men are bold and assertive, that’s admired. If women are, it’s called shrill!
The fact is that we have many problems in the world that have been intractable for far too long. Leaving talent out because that talent is “female”, limits our ability to address those issues in a way that we can succeed and deliver results.
We have lived in oppressions for way too long, desiring the same equal rights of men.
I say to women who are running: “If you would exercise it ethically and intelligently, why shouldn’t it be you”? Because if the best people won’t stand for office, then the bad people will win.
While I was reading an article not too long ago, I came across experts who says that they often face an uphill battle because of traditional gender roles, masculine political culture, sexism and lack of encouragement.
That is very true. It isn’t only an issue in Canada, but a global burden.
I believe grandly, and through out my journey touring many different countries and being around thousands of female leaders, such as “The Honourable Hazel McCallion” that women think they have to be twice as good as men to navigate the sexist political terrain.
Know that women are actually more inclined towards that more modern leadership, which is collaborative problem-solving, enabling, consultative, not just trying to assert a kind of hierarchical power. Men, may also employ this sort of leadership, but it is distinctly feminine!
It is not simply a matter of: if women are more effective legislators; party politics plays an essential role in who gets elected.
If you look at how people react to candidates, there are certain stereotypes that people have in their mind about what’s a women’s issue and what’s not a women’s issue, so you may be more likely to prefer a female candidate if what’s on your mind are issues like health care and education, for example.
Our rank for women’s office is dropping and the gender gap in political ambition is growing with obvious ill effects for women’s health, economics, education and work. This is pathetic and embarrassing!
What was worse last week: The silencing of women in a public discourse about their own health and bodies or the arrogance and entitlement that made these men (and a few women) think they could get away with it.
Some people don’t see what the big deal is. But others understand why it’s important and shocking and women, and their male allies, are coalescing in unprecedented ways to address the enormous gender imbalance in our government and the now glaringly obvious fact that the imbalance does us all, particularly women, who make up more than half of the population, a huge disservice!
Three things needs to happen. Women, and men who get it, have to:
1. Use their voting rights.
2. Run for office.
3. Be visible and loud.
At last, most women make up the bulk of low-wage earners, are heads of households and are literally sick and tired of not having access to their rights, as leaders. At the end of the day, the best way we can speak out is to vote!
