Women in Politics
In recent times the agitation for equal opportunities for women is becoming a trend as some have lived up to the realities that every modern society must be anchored on the principles of equality amongst gender, and the society at large. Others have opined that the concept of equality is something that is impracticable hence the agitation for Gender equality.
However, whether the agitation seems to be for equal opportunities which is gender equality or agitation for fairness which is gender equity, opportunities in politics seems to be the major focus of these agitations. The rationale for this seems to be that politics rules practically every sphere of life.
In traditional African societies, participation of women in politics was at a very minimal level, however African societies are advancing and thus with the realities of time, women participation have increased although at a very slow pace.
It is important to state that Gender shouldn't be a factor in whether or not a person can be a great leader, a person's leadership abilities should depend on their individual strengths and personality traits.
However women most of the times do not get the same encouragement as their male counterparts, not withstanding a lot of women have risen above these constraints and are doing exceptionally well in politics.
These women have to keep their heads high even in the face of patriarchy, stigmatization, religious and cultural barriers. A woman is naturally endowed with certain qualities such as organisation, multitasking, the ability to carry everyone along, managing and producing results, all these qualities are needed in politics, which makes women outstanding candidates for political positions. A typical example are countries where they have women leaders who have managed this COVID-19 pandemic excellently, the first female president of Taiwan Tsai-ing-wen, was able to control the pandemic and currently Taiwan has no new recorded domestic case.
By way of encouraging more participation in politics, women must build capacity like their counterparts by being a part of the process and learning the tenents of politics, political parties must offer equal opportunities for women with capacity to deliver sensitization programs to encourage women in politics, establishment of legal funds to assist women politicians to challange electoral malpractices, enabling a condusive environment to encourage healthy competition of women and their male counterparts.
Conclusively, every society whether advanced or developing must offer opportunities to everyone irrespective of gender. Women should not be left behind in political positions as over time they have proven to be persons of capacity to deliver, as women participation plays a central role in shaping a more democratic, stabilized and developed society.
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