Journal of Applied Business, Economics and Strategic Management ISSN: 3139-1664 (Online)

Authors: Chandra Sekhar Dash

Abstract: Over the last few years, the movement for fairness and equality between men and women has found renewed energy and conviction around the world. In public life, in politics, in business and across different economic sectors, women and men have been working for change and a world where economic opportunity is no longer shaped and constrained by being a man or a woman. Evidence is an essential tool in shaping public policy and social progress. To support the cause of gender equality, we need to understand values, perceptions and attitudes, the speed of change or the failure to realise it, and the drivers and barriers along the way towards building a fairer world. The first and most powerful step in gender parity is participation in politics. Hence, attempt is made in this article to evidence the barriers that obstruct the process in achieving gender parity and suggest measures to overcome it. Although there is no paucity of research in women studies, focus on their political acumen are rare. The methodology has relied on extensive review of literature as secondary source of data and the findings of the study indicated that the continued gender gap in leadership roles around the world is strikingly alarming. Today, women make up half the world’s workforce and the majority of college graduates, yet they hold only about a quarter of leadership roles. In politics, women around the world last year held just 25.2% of parliamentary seats and 21.2% of ministerial positions. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2020. Only 68 of the 153 countries covered by the report have had a female head of state in the past 50 years. The findings of the study indicated that if we are serious about achieving the development goals, we’ve set ourselves, we need to be serious about empowering women, and especially girls, to learn, lead, decide and thrive. Developing the leadership capacity of girls in particular not only helps them to secure better livelihoods and better health today, but can also create a generation capable of delivering future change. Women’s political participation is a crucial accelerator of progress. And we need to accelerate change if we are to safeguard development through better decision making.

Keywords: Women, Politics, Trials & Tribulations, Leadership