Women Taking The Lead

Women

PARISMITA GOSWAMI

Melanie Perkins is the LinkedIn sensation, co-founder & CEO at Canva, and one of the most influential women today.

In our day-to-day life, we come across people we work alongside or friends who can someday be listed amongst the 100 most potentially influential people in the world. It might be you, me, and someone else, but yet to be recognized.

But by who? Yourself or the world.

I am talking about all the women leaders, CEOs, and the world’s most powerful women. And all those women who are driving the fortune wheels of success and transformational stories today.

Like Maya Angelou said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”

Power is not a definite term, and it’s cohesive and can erode. Power is the ability to change a situation and control one’s behavior. It can be constructive as well as destructive. Every woman can take power into their hands and bring about change in our society.

Because, women today are equally responsible for changing society from top to bottom, horizontally and vertically.

Is it true that women always hold a different approach while leading a country or a company?

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” —Melinda Gates, philanthropist

Indeed true. Some situations require a different perspective and approach. If women were to be leading countries during the 20th century, maybe the world war wouldn’t have happened. What if a woman led Russia? Would there have been another Crimea-like situation or Ukraine?

If women ruled the Middle East, there wouldn’t be any war, refugee crisis, economic or failed states. Maybe!

The recent death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran is mounting the world to question the moral grounds and idea of an ideal woman in the region. Iranians have intensified the protest, blazing the ground with fury for freedom and justice. But, the world is also awakening to certain codes and laws that still prevail today.

The lessons are yet to be learned, considering the cases of Afghanistan, Syria, and many other middle eastern countries. Even though such incidents generate local and global awareness, are these battles ever ending?

Well, it remains a concern as they reach their peaks, usually in the form of a victory and the consequence of a long struggle.

Or something that will remain unresolved for the years to come.

The fight is still ongoing for you, me, and many others- with the first wave of feminism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries appearing out of industrialism and liberal, socialist politics to till date.

Examples

“A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done.” —Marge Piercy, poet

Gender shouldn’t determine a person’s ability, but gender does have a greater role to play.

According to Fortune coverage, women now head 23 organizations on the Global 500 list. Besides, their representation is more diverse than ever; in 2020, only one woman of color headed a Global 500 business. In 2021, there were six women. Women are steadily climbing the corporate ladder, and the chasm between men and women in leadership roles remains apparent.

If a woman can lead a social movement or run a Fortune 500 company, why not a country/state? We have Kamala Harris(U.S.), Angela Merkel (Germany), Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand), Sanna Marin(Finland), Katrin Jakobsdottir (Iceland), and so many other examples from this century itself.

Besides, social and political activists like Malala, Medha Patkar, Greta Thunberg, Leymah Gbowee, Naomi Klein, etc., writers, actors, poets, directors, artists, and so many names in many fields. I mean so many potentials, so many prospects, and so much progress.

These above women and so many others holding the steering wheels possess the innate desire to contribute, cultivate, develop, and grow. And, every other person should join hands, put their faith, and form chains to bring change.

Summary

“Women are leaders everywhere you look—from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Strong women built our country, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.” —Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

The world is undergoing a paradigm shift. Situations have been dramatically changing, and all we need to do is change our mindset. And, with all our belief, we lend our house keys to the woman in the house. Similarly, we must lend the keys to women in science, commerce, politics, economics, social or climate, and geography.

Writing this article aims to generate awareness among many who ignore that talking about women’s rights and lives is tragically historic. The 21st century is regressing; I would say if it still fails to surpass these frequently faced myriads of potholes.

[Images from different sources]

(Headline Image: Ankushita Boro)

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