Empowering Women in Leadership

Here is a critical demographic factoid: 900 million young women and adolescent girls. Positioned at the crossroads, they hold the power to shape the trajectory of labor and progress. Equipping them with essential tools and opportunities to cultivate contemporary skills is not just an investment; it’s a pathway for their emergence as a substantial cohort of female leaders, change catalysts, entrepreneurs, and innovators, etching a profound narrative in the annals of history.

In the specific context of India, a nation grappling with a myriad of socio-economic challenges, the clarion call to empower adolescent girls resonates with urgency. The genesis of change lies in initiating comprehensive initiatives early on, integrating modern skill sets, and instilling leadership qualities within educational systems. India, a country home to one of the largest groups of girls, has embarked on a transformative journey through extensive programs encompassing education, health, digital and financial inclusion, and leadership development. This concerted effort is in harmony with Sustainable Development Goal 5, a vision for a more gender-equal world by 2030.

As the pulse of progress quickens, digital technology assumes an increasingly vital role. Educational Technology (EdTech) stands out as a crucial tool, adept at narrowing accessibility gaps through innovative hybrid learning models. This is especially poignant in contexts where harmful norms act as barriers, hindering girls’ access to schooling. Crafting solutions tailored to the language, cultural nuances, and internet accessibility of specific communities becomes imperative, ensuring girls enjoy equitable access to knowledge through the prism of digital inclusion.

The World Bank casts light on a statistic that deserves attention: over 43% of STEM graduates in India are women. However, the celebration of this achievement is tempered by the reality that not all of these accomplished graduates find representation in the workforce and leadership roles within the tech industry. Persistent stereotypes loom large, portraying STEM as a traditionally masculine domain, thereby perpetuating disparities.

Delving into the barriers obstructing the translation of increased women’s representation in STEM into active workforce participation reveals a complex web. Gender norms, which tend to assign domestic responsibilities to women, play a pivotal role. Additionally, the perception of men as natural leaders in STEM, finance, and entrepreneurship contributes to the glass ceiling. Institutional factors, such as inadequate maternity leave and a dearth of flexible work arrangements, further compound the challenges.

To actively dismantle these entrenched stereotypes, a paradigm shift is essential. This involves the incorporation of age-appropriate STEM education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship curricula into the fabric of girls’ education. Innovative elements such as Olympiads, innovation labs, boot camps, and competitions can serve as catalyzing agents, exposing girls to practical applications of their skills and inspiring them to develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Granting women autonomy over decisions concerning their bodies represents a cornerstone of empowerment. This includes choices related to sexual relations, contraception, and access to healthcare. Equally crucial is ensuring their freedom from all forms of violence and harassment, fostering an environment where their voices are heard and respected.

In the realm of sports, a potent vehicle for fostering leadership, self-sufficiency, and teamwork emerges. The involvement of adolescent girls in sports contributes significantly to boosting self-confidence and refining teamwork skills. Successful outcomes are evident through initiatives like the National Sports Policy and inclusion programs targeting children from vulnerable communities, underscoring the transformative potential of such endeavours.

Yet, the narrative of women’s roles extends far beyond the playing field. From managing household chores to tending to loved ones, women bear the core responsibilities that sustain thriving families, communities, and economies. This burden intensifies during crises, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which starkly highlighted the disproportionate care role shouldered by women. In India, socio-cultural norms exacerbate this issue, relegating women to unpaid reproductive labor, a facet that demands profound societal reflection and reform.

The imperative is not merely acknowledging this burden but actively working towards diminishing and redistributing unpaid care and domestic work. The goal is clear: to enable women to access economic opportunities on par with men. Urgently needed are policies that provide essential services, social protection, basic infrastructure, and encourage shared domestic and care responsibilities. Simultaneously, generating more paid jobs in the care sector becomes a linchpin to expedite progress in women’s economic empowerment.

A comprehensive strategy emerges as the linchpin, weaving together strands of enhanced employability, sports for leadership, digital innovations and learning, and bodily autonomy. It is this holistic approach that holds the key to fortifying leadership capabilities among adolescent girls and young women, dismantling barriers, and ushering in transformative growth.

In conclusion, the nurturing of girls’ leadership skills is not just an isolated endeavor; it is a collective stride in dismantling gender norms and fostering growth that transcends the individual to shape societies and nations. This approach finds resonance with the Sustainable Development Goals, serving as a guiding light for both India and the broader global community. It is a narrative of progress, empowerment, and equality, echoing through the corridors of time.

BY Sharif Hussain Khan

Sharif Hussain Khan, Editor Entrepreneurship-Cell, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.