The Path Forward: Women's Leadership in Politics and Beyond

 

Throughout my career as both a politician and gender equality advocate, one question has remained constant: How do we transform our systems to truly r
eflect the populations they serve?

The Reality in Numbers

Despite decades of progress, the leadership gap remains stark:

• Only 26.5% of parliamentary seats worldwide are held by women
• Less than 8% of Fortune 500 companies have women CEOs
• Women still face a 16% global gender pay gap on average

These aren't just statistics—they represent missed opportunities for better governance, stronger businesses, and more equitable societies.

From My Desk to Yours

When I first entered politics, I imagined that determination alone would overcome barriers. What I discovered instead was a complex web of structural obstacles:

"The hardest part wasn't winning my first election—it was being taken seriously after I won." - Nikita Ghag

The challenges women face aren't limited to politics. I've collaborated with actors pushing for representation in film, corporate leaders fighting for board diversity, and activists working at grassroots levels—all encountering similar resistance.

Why Representation Transforms Everything

Research consistently confirms what many of us have witnessed firsthand:

1. Diverse perspectives lead to better decisions When Rwanda implemented their quota system (achieving 61% women's representation in parliament), they saw dramatic improvements in health outcomes and education access.
2. Financial performance improves Companies with gender-diverse boards outperform their competitors by 25% according to McKinsey's research. This isn't coincidence—it's the result of bringing different thinking styles and experiences to complex problems.
3. Policy priorities shift Women legislators are more likely to sponsor legislation addressing education, healthcare, and family welfare—issues that affect economic development and social cohesion.
4. Leadership styles evolve Studies show women leaders often excel at collaborative decision-making and crisis management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with women leaders frequently showed better outcomes.

Breaking Through Barriers

Through my work with the Women's Political Action Committee and conversations with countless aspiring leaders, I've identified four key barriers we must address:

1. The Access Gap

Male-dominated networks create invisible barriers to entry. Even when women attain positions of power, they're often excluded from informal circles where real decisions happen.

2. The Confidence Myth

Women aren't less confident—they're responding rationally to systems that penalize them for displaying the same assertiveness rewarded in men.

3. The Resource Divide

Women candidates receive less financial backing, and women entrepreneurs secure less venture capital. This isn't about quality—it's about longstanding biases in how we evaluate potential.

4. The Double Bind

Women leaders face contradictory expectations: be strong but not aggressive, be confident but not arrogant, be ambitious but not power-hungry.

Call to Action

I've witnessed tremendous progress, but we can't wait another generation for equality. Here's what each of us can do:

For organizational leaders:

• Implement transparent promotion criteria
• Establish mentorship programs specifically for women
• Create family-friendly policies that benefit all employees
• Set measurable diversity targets with accountability

For voters and consumers:

• Support women candidates across the political spectrum
• Choose companies with demonstrated commitment to gender equity
• Amplify women's voices in public discourse
• Challenge biased language and assumptions

For aspiring women leaders:

• Build strategic networks—both women-focused and broader professional groups
• Seek specific, actionable feedback from mentors
• Negotiate confidently for resources and compensation
• Support other women rather than competing in a scarcity mindset

Looking Forward

The question isn't whether women can lead—we've proven that beyond doubt. The question is whether our systems will evolve quickly enough to benefit from diverse leadership.

When politicians, actors, corporate executives, and activists align around this issue, change accelerates.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this crucial conversation. What strategies have you seen work effectively? What obstacles persist in your field? Connect with me on LinkedIn or attend my upcoming virtual roundtable on women's leadership.