Binaifer Nowrojee’s Post

Will Kamala Harris Become The First Female President of United Sates of America ? Despite being a beacon of democracy and progress, the United States of America has yet to see a female president. What does this reality reflect on the state of American democracy and the barriers that still exist for women in leadership? It took a long time before voting rights were granted to half the voters ! Phew 😥 It only happened because of the fight for female suffrage in the U.S. was championed by formidable leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. Their relentless efforts culminated in the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. However, the journey towards gender equality in political representation remains unfinished. Has the rest of the world fared better ? Globally, several nations have made remarkable strides in this area. Leaders like Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Angela Merkel, who served as Chancellor of Germany for 16 years, have demonstrated that women can lead nations through complex challenges. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia, became the first elected female head of state in Africa and played a crucial role in stabilizing and rebuilding her country post-civil war. In South Asia, Indira Gandhi of India and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan broke significant barriers, leading their nations through turbulent times. Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand has been lauded globally for her compassionate and decisive leadership, particularly during the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these achievements, women in leadership positions often face unique challenges, including gender bias, underestimation of their capabilities, and balancing societal expectations with professional responsibilities. These leaders have shown resilience, proving that female leadership is not just possible but essential for diverse and effective governance. What can be done to improve representation of women in leadership? 1. Mentorship and Sponsorship: Creating strong networks and mentorship programs to support and guide women through their careers. 2. Policy and Structural Changes: Implementing policies that promote work-life balance and ensure equal opportunities for women. 3. Education and Awareness: Encouraging both men and women to challenge gender stereotypes and advocate for gender equality. 4. Encouraging Political Participation: Actively promoting and supporting female candidates in political parties and elections. True democracy is inclusive and representative of all its citizens. We need to advocate for and support women in their pursuit of leadership roles, ensuring that the future holds equal opportunities for all. #Leadership #GenderEquality #WomenInPolitics #Diversity #Inclusion #Democracy #KamalaHarris

Role of women in democratic progress Women's Rights and involvement in Nations democratic process is imperative, as a feminist i encourage all the democratic nations to encourage girl child education and women inclusion in democratic proesses to flourish democracy of any nation. Like we all know that democracy is a system of government by whole population, therefore women inclusion in the system of governance will increace success in government and sustainability. Women's full participation in national and local politics, in the economy, in academia and the media is fundamental to democracy and essential to the achievement of sustainable development and peace in all content . If a political system or a democratic nations neglects women's participation, if it evades accountability for women's rights, it fails half of its citizens. Ofcourse , true democracy is based on the realization of human rights and gender equality. If one of these falters, so do the others. Weak democracy remains a major barrier to the enjoyment of human rights. Likewise, the failure to respect human rights is an impediment to effective democracy. However, sustainable democracy must be based on checks and balances, accountability of institutions that allow women to seek redress when their rights are violated. The judiciary, parliamentary oversight processes, and other institutions must act as guarantors of the rule of law and of women's complete participation on social economic and democratic processes in every Nation. In the World women represent 3.5 billion citizens, yet in many countries women face a wide range of constraints to effective and active participation as candidates in a political party, voters and elected in public offices. The consequences of constraints on women's participation are obvious.It crytal clear that women make up less than 10 percent of world leaders Globally. Finally, we look forward to partner with NGOs , Government and United Nation, International organizations to ensure womem inclusion in democratic proccess and protect humans right and sustainable democracy globally.

Can you believe it? Today is Election Day, and for the first time in HERstory, we have the potential to elect the first African-American female President to lead this country! 🙌🏾 This moment is monumental for so many reasons: ✨ It symbolizes progress—showing us how far we've come and the barriers we continue to break. ✨ It empowers future generations of women, especially women of color, to dream big and know that anything is possible. ✨ It’s a reminder that representation matters, and having diverse voices at the highest levels of leadership can transform the narrative for everyone. Let's make history today by showing up and making our voices heard. Every vote counts. Let's continue to fight for change, equality, and a brighter future. 🗳️ #ElectionDay2024 #HERstoryInTheMaking #VoteForChange #RepresentationMatters #BreakingBarriers #PeoplePotential #Leadership #OrganizationalSuccess #ContinuousLearning #DiversityAndInclusion #EmployeeEngagement #HRStrategy #MakeChange #WinWithBlackWomen

There can be no good governance without meaningful and equal inclusion of women in public life. it has been my honor to deliver a speach to encourage women to aspire for senior roles in public administration. https://lnkd.in/desa26SX

1. Women’s Groups in Ondo State Advocate for Deputy Governor Slots in Major Political Parties https://ift.tt/kBxhRuo Ondo State In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics, where representation and inclusivity are crucial pillars of democratic governance, the voices of women are increasingly resonating. As the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State looms, women’s groups across the state are amplifying their call for gender balance and inclusiveness by advocating for the deputy governorship slots in major political parties. The Call for Representation Led by prominent figures such as Mrs. Adebimpe Adeniyi, the convener of the initiative, women from diverse backgrounds including the National Council of Women Society, market women groups, and women actively engaged in politics, are championing the cause for increased female representation in key political positions. At the heart of their advocacy is the recognition of the historical marginalization of women in political leadership roles. A Communique for Change Following an inaugural meeting themed “Agitation for Gender Balance and Inclusiveness in Governance,” the women’s groups issued a powerful communique highlighting the stark reality of female underrepresentation in Nigerian politics. The document underscores the fact that since the advent of democratic governance in 1999, women have struggled to secure more than 15 percent of elective positions despite constituting a significant portion of the voting population. Historical Perspectives The narrative of female political leadership in Nigeria is riddled with challenges and triumphs. While notable milestones have been achieved, such as the appointment of women to deputy governor positions in some states, including select states within the Southwest geo-political zone, the overarching trend remains one of systemic barriers hindering women from ascending to the highest echelons of power. Addressing the Imbalance The imperative to address the gender disparity in political representation goes beyond mere rhetoric; it speaks to the fundamental principles of equality and democracy. By advocating for women to occupy the deputy governorship slots in major political parties, the women’s groups in Ondo State are not only challenging the status quo but also paving the way for a more inclusive and representative political landscape. Recognizing Women’s Contributions It is essential to acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to the democratic process and national development. Despite facing numerous obstacles, women across Nigeria have demonstrated resilience, leadership, and a commitment to effecting positive change in their communities and beyond. Looking Ahead As the momentum for gender equality in politics continues to build, it is incumbent upon political parties, government institutions, and civil society organizations to heed the call for increased female representation. Empowering women to assume ...

This year at #UNGA79, only 19 women leaders spoke—out of 190 total speakers. That number is down from 21 speakers last year—and if you look globally, only 27 countries have a woman as their leader. When women don’t have a seat at the table – or a voice at big moments like these – issues primarily impacting women and girls will likely continue to be overlooked by global leaders and progress on gender equality will continue to stagnate.   I was glad to hear António Guterres emphasize this disparity in speakers at UNGA. I agree with him wholeheartedly when he says, “This is unacceptable – especially when we know gender equality delivers for peace, sustainable development, climate action and much more.”   While there were so many productive conversations at UNGA around global gender equality, creating a future where everyone thrives starts with making sure that women are represented in conversations at all levels of decision-making, and a central part of determining the solutions. You can read more about this in Bloomberg:

My sisters, how much longer must we endure being overlooked, undervalued, and silenced in spaces we rightfully belong? We’ve watched the endless promises and heard the empty rhetoric, yet the government has continuously failed us by not implementing the 2/3 gender rule enshrined in our very Constitution. This isn’t just a "delay" or a "challenge"; this is a blatant disregard for women and our place in leadership. For decades, women have carried the weight of families, communities, and economies on our backs. We’ve proven our worth time and time again, yet when it comes to leadership, when it’s time to give us an equal seat at the table, we are pushed aside. Why? Because it’s easier for those in power to maintain the status quo, to keep women in the shadows rather than allow us to shine. This government’s failure to implement such a simple, constitutional requirement speaks volumes about how it views women’s leadership. It’s not just an oversight; it’s a deliberate act of disrespect towards every woman who dares to dream of leading. We should not have to beg for what’s rightfully ours, for what the law already mandates. My sisters in power, I see you. I see the struggles you endure just to get where you are, the mountains you climb that should never have been there in the first place. And to those of us still fighting to get to those leadership positions, know that this system was designed to keep us out, but it cannot break our spirit. We will not be silenced. The truth is, the refusal to implement the 2/3 gender rule isn’t just a political failure—it’s a moral one. It’s an insult to every woman who’s ever been told she’s “not good enough” or “not ready.” It’s a betrayal to our mothers, daughters, and every woman who fights daily to be seen as equal. We must hold the government accountable for this injustice. Women deserve better, not tomorrow or in some distant future, but now. We are not asking for favors; we are demanding our rights, our space, our leadership. And until this country gives us that, it will remain stuck in the past, shackled by its own refusal to embrace true equality. To every woman reading this: Keep pushing, keep fighting. The government may not see our worth, but we do. We are powerful. We are leaders. And one day, they will have no choice but to listen. #womeninleadership

"𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆." It´s already been a couple of weeks since the event "Coaching over Dinner", hosted by women for women. But there was one statement in the opening speech by Senator Franziska Giffey which really got stuck with me: "We have to treat inequality unequal to achieve equality." I was never a big 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮 fan. Do I want to be in a certain position simply based on my gender? I rarely called myself a 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁. Do we even need to differenciate between men and women? But both questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Feminism is not about women being better or superior to men and the quota does not mean a woman got a seat at the table simply based on her gender. BUT we do need to treat men and women differently for one simple reason: 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀. Women, especially working moms and those entering male-dominated fields, face distinct challenges. Creating a path for someone based on their needs does not mean "extra help" or "being favoured" it means 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱. And let´s be honest - men have had a historical advantage. For generations, they’ve been “favored” by the status quo, making their entry into leadership positions smoother and more accessible. If you are questioning that statement, keep reading: When was it again that women were legally allowed to work in Germany? Must have been a couple of hundred years ago, right? Nope.. Only in 1957 it was decided that women are allowed to work even without their husbands persmission.. yay. BUT only if it does not lead to the woman negelcting her duties as a wife and mother. 🤔 This hideous clause was only removed in 1977. That´s not even 50 years ago! We have taken 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 steps towards equality, it´s time for 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 ones. 🚀 So, yes, we do need to treat inequality inequal to achieve equality. Thank you again, Martina Marijnissen, Sabine Leutenecker, Urte Zahn for such an inspiring evening. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝘁´𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀? #equality #workingmom #womenintech #femalefounder #leadership

Mexico recently became the first North American nation to elect a female leader, joining a growing global list of countries that have elected or appointed women as heads of state or government including most recently Halla Tomasdottir, the incoming President of Iceland. Balanced political participation and power-sharing between women and men in decision-making is an internationally agreed target set in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Having more women in public leadership roles can have a profound impact on creating more peaceful and prosperous societies. It is therefore deeply concerning that women remain significantly underrepresented across all levels of political decision-making. More needs to be done to increase women’s political representation by understanding and removing obstacles that impede women’s participation in the public sphere and decision-making. Attacks in the political sphere against women in positions of power contravene the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, known as the “Convention of #BelémDoPará.” The Convention clearly states that every woman shall be able to freely and fully exercise her civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights and shall enjoy full protection of those rights enshrined in regional and international human rights instruments. As this landmark convention approaches its 30th anniversary, it’s crucial to remember that State Parties recognize violence against women as a significant barrier to exercising these fundamental rights. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eWmZXRU2 #BelémDoParáConvention #TheConventionForAllWomen #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #WomensRights #LAC

The 6th Annual NWOhio Women's Equality Day!!! Mon, Aug 26 | The Glass City Center 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM EDT Join the conversation with our local women’s community and leaders on the status of women and girls in our region. With a focus on human rights as women’s rights, a discussion surrounding the areas of inclusion & access, justice, and security (health, safety, and economic empowerment of women and their families). 📋PRELIMINARY AGENDA ✨ 2 pm to 4 pm Listening Session: Table Topics with Leaders & Community-at-large ✨ 4 pm to 5:30 pm Networking and appetizers ✨ 5:30 pm to 6 pm Welcome and Introduction ✨ 6 pm to 7:30 pm Women’s Town Hall 🚺 What is Women’s Equality Day? Women’s Equality Day recognizes the passage of the 19th Amendment, extending voting rights to women in 1920. This event culminated in a 72-year, peaceful campaign formally beginning in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. Even though the 19th Amendment extended voting rights to women, only white women were allowed to vote. Despite this necessary constitutional amendment, women in the US have continued to face various barriers based on their intersectional identities. Gender, race, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, nationality, language, and religion are determinant factors in shaping women’s experiences, which is why women in Greater Toledo need to discuss how gender-based oppression intersects with other forms of discrimination. Women of Toledo is committed to honoring the legacy of women’s movements by continuing to address how we can reach equality for all people. We hope to see you there 🙌