FEMININE LEADERSHIP: COULD THIS BE THE SOLUTION IN NIGERIA?
Feminine Leadership is a type of Leadership that possesses the feminine characteristics, a form of leadership that is led by a woman. It is so unfortunate that the inclusion of women in leadership position has become delusional and insignificant due to the long time traditional and cultural practices in Nigeria. This has molded lots of women to coil into their shells and exclude themselves from any leadership position due to the stereotype and limitations we placed on women and girls. Their mindsets are programmed to be followers and liabilities instead of leaders; they are positioned as second class citizens with little entitlements and power, they are structured to be dependent on the male gender for sustenance which has developed lots of crisis in the family institution leading to increase in Gender-Based Violence in the country.
What is the faith of a nation that is underutilizing over 50% of its population?
Leadership goes beyond the physical, status, title or gender; it’s more of the inner qualities, strength and ability to make a positive change. Leadership is believed to be faceless irrespective of gender and status, it’s all about positive influence and development.
Leadership as we all know is a process of influencing others towards achieving a common goal, but how often do our leaders influence others positively?
How has the Nigerian Leadership been for the past ten years?
How often do we review and evaluate our progress and accomplishments with the type of leadership we maintain?
Do you think we need a change?
The female gender has so many characteristics that are unique to her alone, which makes her the woman that she is, so soft hearted, confident, intelligent, strong, compassionate, productive and courageous. It goes beyond that when you identify a classy, independent and entrepreneurial woman who believes so much in her strength and abilities.
What other qualities does a leader possess that a woman doesn’t naturally have?
She is created with all the qualities of a leader, YET, she isn’t given a chance. Presently, there are few women in politics and leadership spaces in Nigeria, only seven out of 109 senators and 22 of the 360 House of Representatives.
Nigeria has been faced with lots of Leadership/governance challenges ranging from insecurity, corruption, economic and social inequalities, casteism and communalism, unemployment and many more.
According to corruption perceptions index 2020, Nigeria is ranked 149/180, also according to the 2021 global peace index (GPI) Nigeria ranked 146 among 163 independent nations and territories according to its level of peacefulness.
DO YOU THINK OUR LEADERS ARE READY FOR CHANGE?
HOW LONG DO WE WAIT FOR A BETTER NIGERIA?
ARE WE MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARD OR STAYING FLAT WITH NO PROGRESS?
Really, this is so unfortunate.
Our world is made up of so many incredible women, and so many amazing changes in our world are being made by women who recognize their strength and importance. The leadership of a woman start as young as 9 years where she is assigned certain responsibilities at home, grooming her for marriage which has always been the tradition. This great leadership manifest even better when she starts her home and become a mother, bringing forth generations upon generations which I referred to her unique mentoring skills transiting from one generation to another. Today, women that are given opportunities are impacting lives in great ways. Many of the most powerful countries on earth including Germany, India, Brazil, South Korea, Isreal, Chile and the United Kingdom have elected or appointed women as their heads of state. These women presidents and prime ministers have had command of nuclear weapons, powerful economies, vast populations and most importantly the respect of their people. Example are Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern, Katrin Jakobsdottir, Tsai Ing-wen, Angela Merkel, Sheikh Hasina, Erna Solberg, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Saara Kuugongelwa.
Women have all the qualities needed for good and effective leadership when given the opportunity and provided with the right environment, they naturally exhibit the instrumental type of leadership which focuses on achieving goals, maintaining productivity and ensuring that tasks are completed. They make good managers because they get the job done successfully; an example is their ability in managing their homes. They are usually at the center of all tasks and responsibilities, they coordinate and manage all the members of the family, including the father/husband, and they serve as a middle person connecting every member of the family. They are the compasses that go 360 degrees, touching every angle of the circle without getting tired or sad, doing her work effortlessly with joy. She is naturally blessed with such quality of taking everyone along, she looks out for everyone, provide emotional and motivational support to every member of the family. A mother has a solution to everyone’s problem; she is highly spiritual, good listener and adviser, naturally born economist.
WHAT OTHER QUALITIES A LEADER HAS THAT A WOMAN LACKS?
She is confident, productive, optimistic and positive, Go-getter, fear tackler, caring, Not Afraid to Stand Up for What she Believe In, bold, courageous, good decision maker, focused and determined to make the next generation better by mentoring them in the way she feels most appropriate.
FEMININE LEADERSHIP: COULD THIS BE THE SOLUTION IN NIGERIA?
LET’S THINK ABOUT IT AND CREATE THE CHANGE WE ALL DESIRE BY GIVING WOMEN A SIT ON THE LEADERSHIP TABLE.
WRITTEN BY:
AISHA BELLO: Voice of the Girl Child and Vulnerable People Foundation