[The Elders Series] Women On The Frontlines: Ireland and Africa’s First Female Heads of State on Empathetic Leadership, Feminism & Global Development
Jun 10, 2020
auto_awesome
Join Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, alongside Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nobel Peace Laureate and Liberia's first female president, as they dive into the transformative power of feminist leadership. They explore the unique challenges women face in politics and policymaking, share insights from their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss the vital role of empathetic leadership in creating a more equitable world. Their inspiring dialogue underscores the urgent need for more women in leadership.
Women leaders, such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Mary Robinson, highlight the crucial role of empathetic leadership in addressing social injustices and promoting equity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has showcased the effectiveness of female leadership in crisis response, underlining the need for gender equality in recovery efforts.
Deep dives
The Power of Women in Leadership
Women leaders often bring a unique perspective to governance, emphasizing equity and justice. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Mary Robinson highlight the ways in which women lead by example, showcasing their commitment to humanity and seeking to address social injustices. As President Johnson Sirleaf noted, during her tenure, she prioritized women's positions in strategic government roles despite facing significant resistance. Their experiences underline the importance of female leadership not only in political spaces but also in fostering community support and activism.
Challenges Facing Women Leaders
Both Johnson Sirleaf and Robinson discuss the obstacles they encountered as women in high office, emphasizing the need for systemic change to support female participation in governance. Johnson Sirleaf faced challenges in passing laws aimed at women’s rights, such as the abolition of female genital mutilation, highlighting the societal pushback against progressive reforms. Robinson spoke about the need to change perceptions and empower marginalized voices across communities. These barriers illustrate the broader struggle for gender equity in leadership roles, which remains critical for overcoming entrenched inequalities.
Lessons from the COVID-19 Response
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the strengths of women leaders around the world, who have responded with compassion and decisiveness. Leaders like Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern have shown that women address crises by prioritizing health and community wellbeing, often achieving better outcomes than their male counterparts. This crisis has also revealed the need for collaboration and local resourcefulness, prompting a reassessment of global dependence on external aid. As both leaders call for a rebuild post-pandemic, there is a strong emphasis on integrating gender equality into recovery efforts to create a more just society moving forward.
As of today, less than 6% of the heads of government globally are women. Yet, as we look at how the world is fairing with the immediate COVID-19 response, we recognize the power of feminist leadership, and acknowledge the need for more of it. Through leadership lessons from Africa and Ireland’s first female heads of states, we will unpack ‘feminist leadership’, look at the critical role of women in policymaking, and attempt to understand the challenges women face in the fight to create a more equitable and just world. How has the urgency of action needed for the Covid-19 response impacted our ability to focus on the climate agenda and development in the African context? How do female leaders deal with the demands of pressing global issues? Does women’s leadership differ from leadership of male leaders?
Learn from expert voices:
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Chair of The Elders
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state; Nobel Peace Laureate
Hazami Barmada, Founder & CEO, Humanity Lab Foundation