The increasing presence of women in positions of clout in different economic sectors is remarkable and worth celebrating. But is the trend driven by organisations enthusiastically grandstanding to women rights groups or society willingly embracing changes? For sure, the topic is bound to initiate a raging debate.
But one cannot disregard the impact that the legislation on mandatory women empowerment and gender equity compliance is bound to have on the gender complexion of decision-making ranks in organisations, only if effectively enforced. Aimed at ensuring 50% representation for women in all “decision-making structures” in government and private entities, hopefully, it may well result in more women steering the economy’s destiny, together with their male counterparts.
Whereas the legislation possibly will result in measured success, it might force some to overlook persistent realities. One of them is that for every celebrated power-wielding woman there could be as many as tens of thousands others below their stratum on the fringes, deprived of access to basic opportunities which majority of men enjoy. The women are in rural areas and townships resigned to a life of servitude.
Incontestably, women need more than the women empowerment and gender equity law to thrive. Thus far, is there a more effective solution than education?