Women in leadership: Moving beyond representation to decision-making power

Diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs, a deck of cards has four separate suits. Every suit consists of the same numbers; however, they cannot be used interchangeably. Every single card is unique and has different uses. The diversity in cards is what makes them interesting and worthwhile.

This is a simple yet powerful metaphor for the way the world works. If only the same kind of people get all the opportunities, the world would be a boring, and more importantly, unfair place. Sadly, this kind of unfairness exists, and throughout centuries, women have had to bear the brunt of it. Though efforts have been made to reduce gender inequality in workplaces, the result has been somewhat decorative, in the sense that access to women has increased, but their power to make a big difference has stayed limited.

Leadership roles have stayed out of reach for most women. The reasons are multifaceted: societal expectations, gender norms, workplace insensitivity, and much more.

A double burden

One of the biggest barriers that women face is the double burden of professional responsibilities and domestic work. Because of gender norms, women are expected to manage an unequal share of domestic work.

Part of the problem is that when it comes to careers and jobs, we often times fail to see the entire picture. In the race of employment, not everybody has the same starting point. Sometimes women even have to struggle to get the education they so rightfully deserve. To counter this problem, we need to shift our focus from equality to equity. Extra efforts in favour of women aren’t a favour; they are compensation for added pressures and struggles. We have done well to get women through the door. The next step is making sure that, once inside, they are the ones making the call.

Through my work with Pravah, our skill development initiative as well as Cocoon Hospitals, I’ve interacted with women across the country. What I’ve found is that women have a habit of being cautious and much more calculated about their next step. When you grow up being watched, you learn to be careful. This trickles into their work. As leaders, women are more detail-oriented and sensitive to others’ requirements.

Benefits for all

When women are empowered to make decisions on behalf of people, the benefit goes beyond women. Minorities and vulnerable groups tend to gain as well, because a woman knows what it is like to be pushed aside for reasons that have nothing to do with her ability. A woman who has been judged on something superficial, or spoken over, or told a space wasn’t meant for her, often carries that understanding into her work. That understanding doesn’t switch off when she walks into a policy meeting. It shapes what she notices and who she remembers to include.

Women in leadership also tend to step up with a strong sense of care and accountability. They know that when they hold a position of power, they stand in for every woman who came before them, many of whom were never given the chance. This matters in government institutions, administrative roles, policymaking, and the leading of projects, the places where decisions actually get made. It matters for little girls too. A girl who sees a woman running a ministry or a company doesn’t have to imagine it. She has seen it.

So, what would real change look like? Women involved when the budget is decided, and not only when it is presented. Women leading a project from the very beginning, with the authority to say no.

Change can’t rest on women alone. Training for those already in power helps them see what they have been missing and use their position to make room. A woman should be able to disagree, ask a question or admit a mistake without it being held against her for the next five years. People do their best work when they aren’t busy defending themselves.

As for us women, we must realise that waiting to be invited has not worked. We have to apply, take the seat, and speak up for ourselves and fellow women.

(The author is Director, RJ Corp. Views are personal.)