Overview

Gender disparities in the form of pay gaps, uneven opportunities for advancement, and unbalanced representation in important decision-making persist across the world, despite various efforts at both local and international levels to attain women’s equal access to leadership.

Women are faced with greater barriers than men when it comes to fully participating in social, political, and economic spheres. This inequality has manifested into denial of opportunities in all facets of life – from public governance to access to education and employment.

The importance of having women’s voices in social, economic, and political leadership positions cannot be overemphasized. Women leaders have positive impact on governance, economic success, and encourage other women to become leaders.  When women are in positions of influence, they bring different perspectives and approaches to decision-making that result in a more inclusive society. Leadership is fundamental to women mobilization, and therefore a crucial factor for improving women’s participation in the democratic space.