| Leaders Through The
Ages
Women have played important roles in community since the beginning
of time. The innate tendency that women have for nurturing and taking
care of their own render them loyal citizens of their various communities.
As a result, women readily contribute towards the development of their
communities, and in some instances are willing to go the extra mile
in order to sustain the societies they belong to. From the various Queens of Ethiopia to the traditional Queen Mothers like Yaa Asantewa of Ghana, to political leaders like former Senegalese Prime Minister, Mame Madior Boye women leaders in Africa have gone to great lengths to defend the rights of their people and to facilitate development. The Controversy Surrounding African Women Leaders One cannot ascertain when or where the stigma against women leaders stemmed from. However there seems to be widespread reasons for why people think women should not take active part in leadership and governance. The argument about the “biological clock” seems to be the most popular case against women leaders. In many African societies, it is believed that as a result of a woman’s metabolism and her duty of bearing and bringing up children, she has little time for any thing other than the upkeep of her household. Although it is valid that the maintenance of a household and upbringing of children is time consuming, it seems that the proponents of this argument forget that the leaders in their societies were also brought up by women or maternal figures. In effect, African women do have the capacity to create a positive influence in the lives of people. Perhaps women leaders are even more adept at being leaders than their male counterparts as they spend a great part of their lives being unofficial leaders. Another excuse used against the participation of women in leadership is the fact that they are usually sensitive and emotional and as such would not be able to perform to the best of their ability in stressful situations. True, women are usually very emotional. But does this necessarily have to be a bad thing? The empathy that women feel for people and situations make them better able to understand the people they are leading and this motivates them to work even harder to achieve the goals of the community. A typical example is the case of Yaa Asantewa, the Ghanaian Queen mother of Ejisu who’s empathy for her people the Akans motivated her to fight for the protection of her people and land against the British colonists. Although she eventually exiled to Seychelles, she was able to inspire the Asante army to fight for the protection of their land and in effect, the Asante kingdom prevailed. Even today, it is one of the most diverse and rich ethnic groups in West Africa. Demographics And Women Women account for about 50% of the world’s total population. Unfortunately, two-third’s of the women population is illiterate. In addition, the world percentage of women in parliament is currently 16.6%. In Africa, a greater percentage of the total African population consists of women and female children. From all indications, women form a dominant part of the global society yet their involvement in societal and global affairs is quite limited as compared to the participation of their male counterparts. In order for a more progressive development of the world, it is necessary that more women are educated and supported in their career pursuits and particularly in leadership situations. The Way Forward In order to encourage more women to participate in leadership and government, it is necessary that the community and world as a whole give them the support needed. Instead of downplaying the efforts of African women, people could encourage them either by listening to their views in an objective manner, participating in women initiated activities, and helping eradicate the social stigma and discrimination against women in leadership and African women in general. It is undoubted that financial constraints could prove as a problem for African women leaders but with the relative acceptance of women leaders in countries like the U.S., U.K, Canada and Germany, and the support of organizations like the United Nations Development Fund for Women, these constraints could be overcome. |
Queen of Kano (Nigeria)
1580-1582  Source: Guide to Women Leaders Politically Active Empress Uelete Rufael ( Ethiopia) 1724  Source: Guide to Women Leaders Queen Mother Ndlorukazi Nandi of the Zulu Kingdom (South Africa) 1815-1827  Source: Guide to Women Leaders Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Edweso (Ghana) 1887-1900  Source: Guide to Women Leaders President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia) 2006 - Present  Source: The Liberian Dialogue |
Friday 26 February 2016
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS
AFRICAN
WOMEN LEADERS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Africa’s 10 iconic women leaders
Africa’s 10 iconic women leaders
By This Is Africa on February 20, 2015 — Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions various people have made, for the freedom of black people globally. Take a look at TIA's 10 iconic women in African history (not in order of importance)
Women warriors of Dahomey Kingdom were feared and respected as soldiers. Photo: Edmond Fortier.
Betul is praised for her role as a shrewd political leader who was instrumental in ousting Italian imperialists. She and her husband (Emperor Menelik II) were key figures in the Battle of Adwa (1896), between Ethiopian and Italian forces, which her nation won. Taytu Betul was an influential political leader.
Ethiopia’s Queen and Empress Taytu Betul was a key figure in fighting off Italian imperialists. Photo: Heber Ethiopia
Shaarawi spoke up for women issues and participated in Egypt’s nationalist struggle. She established the Egyptian Feminist Union (1923), and was the founding president of the Arab Feminist Union – to name a few of her achievements.
Feminist and nationalist Huda Shaarawi founded the Egyptian Feminist Union in 1923. Photo: Kalamu
The admired but feared warriors of Dahomey Kingdom were also known as the “Dahomey Amazons” in the 18th century. They contributed to the kingdom’s military power, and were respected for being brave and never running away from danger.
Women soldiers of Dahomey Kingdom (Benin) were feared and respected for their bravery. Photo: Edmond Fortier
Rabesahala was the first Malagasy woman to be elected as a municipal councillor (1956), political party leader (1958), and to be appointed minister (1977). The lauded leader also founded Imongo Vaovao newspaper, and is best known for dedicating her life to Madagascar’s independence, and advocating for human rights.
Pioneer Malagasy politician who was the first woman in Madagascar to be appointed minister. Photo: RFI
The Nobel Peace Prize winner (2004) founded the well respected Green Belt Movement in 1977, which advocates for people to plant trees to fight environmental degradation. She is also known for championing human rights.
Kenya’s Nobel Peace Prize winner was a passionate environmental activist. Photo: Green Belt Movement
The Grammy award winner openly opposed South Africa’s apartheid regime, and lost her citizenship because of she was an activist. “Mama Africa” introduced the world to South African music, and political struggles. Listen to Pata Pata here.
The
South African Grammy award winner was an activist and important voice
during the fight to end apartheid. Photo: Xhosa Culture
The Harvard educated leader made history by becoming Africa’s first female president in 2006. The leader shared her 2011 Nobel Peace Prize with Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman for “their non violent struggle for the safety of women, and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” (Nobel Peace Prize)
Liberian
president Ellen Sirleaf Johnson was the first female president in
Africa, and is Nobel Peace Prize winner. Photo: Reuters
The Queen mother ‘Edwesohemaa’ led an army of thousands during the Yaa Asantewaa War for Independence, against the British colonial forces in 1900. The following year the British drove her into exile, and she spent two decades in Seychelles until her death in 1921.
Ghana’s Yaa Asantewaa was a key player in resisting the British colonial forces in 1900. Photo: Atlanta Blackstars
Mbandi is described as a “deft diplomat, skilful negotiator and formidable tactician,” according to UNESCO. Nzinga encouraged her people to resist Portugal’s colonial influences, and even worked with the Dutch to drive the colonisers out. The queen resisted colonisation right until her death in 1663.
Angola’s Queen Nzinga Mbande was a deft diplomat fighting Portugese colonial forces. Photo: MRFPress
The Grammy award winning singer is known for appearing on stage with her bare feet in support of Cape Verde’s homeless, poor women and children. She sang in a style of music called “morna“, which combines West African percussion with Portuguese “fado“, Brazilian modinha and British sea shanties. Listen to “Sodade” here.
Cape Verde’s Grammy award winning artist Cesária Évora is a singer and human rights activist. Photo: Concert live
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