Women in Leadership As I consider the kind of world that I am bequeathing to my posterity I am both ashamed and sorrowful. Yet, I am not without hope. Despite our materialistic, competitive, and belligerent way of life that forebodes our annihilation if left unchecked, there is a gradual but promising trend taking place. It is that the direct influence of women is beginning to impact all facets of human life. I believe sincerely that a more robust presence of women at all levels of leadership in the world will save us from self-destruction and will set us on a course toward the recovery of humankind. I do not mean to disparage men or to discredit our contribution to civilization. We definitely need the influence of men and women on the local and global scale. But for too long now the influence of women has been systematically restricted by the laws and customs of men. Except for limited periods of history when some societies chose to live in matriarchal communities, our world has lived under patriarchal rule. Political, religious, and sociological powers have relegated women to domestic and supportive roles. Besides the unfair treatment of women, the tragedy has also been the lost benefit of their contribution to the world. Merely changing from patriarchal to matriarchal societies is not the answer. Rather, my hope is that the intrinsic spirit of women will be liberated to participate fully and equally with men in matters of state as well as home; and in industrial as well as religious institutions. It will be imperative, however, that as women increase their participation in the leadership of the world, they do it as women and not as women imitating men. Like men, women bring courage, ingenuity, strength, and decisiveness. But they also inject inspiration, corroboration, compassion, and humility into the equation. For example, women view issues of war with less emotion and more consideration of its consequences than do men. The good news is that in the last hundred years or so women have asserted their influence more and more, even in the face of powerful opposition. More women have been elected to lead countries, states, and municipalities than ever before, and they are making their mark in legislative bodies around the globe. Some women have broken the glass ceiling and are running multinational corporations. The progress is gradual but steady. We have a long way to go, but I am hopeful. ~Adolfo Quezada~
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 01:34:13 +0000
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