“Let Young Women Lead”

Gender or aspects of sexism shouldn’t be a factor in considering whether a person can lead or not; rather base on an individual’s ability and strengths. Statistics show that by 30th July, 2018, only 24% of women held senior positions across the world which indicates a 1% decline from 2017 which stood at 25%. As this year’s theme states that “let young
women lead,” we realise that efforts need to be heightened and geared towards helping people in society to change their perception towards women participation in fields like politics, science, technology and manufacturing.

…only 24% of women held senior positions across the world which indicates a 1% decline from 2017 which stood at 25%.

Though there have been efforts made towards helping women get into leadership positions, more needs to be done considering the fact that there are still many factors hindering their participation in leadership. Such factors include low literacy levels, aspects of low self-esteem, patriarchy and archaic cultural beliefs.
It is hard for women to get to leadership positions but it’s actually harder for them to maintain their positions because they have to put in more efforts than the men
to prove their competence.

If I mentioned Ann Juuko, former head global markets stanbic bank and current head investment banking standard bank Namibia, she has certainly stood out in the corporate world and banking sector and if we had more personalities of her caliber, imagine how beautiful and amazing the world would be! Ann Adeke is another lady who is less than 30years
but has made a remarkable impact in the political space and many more amazing ladies are epitomes of holistic excellence in the societies where we thrive.

As you go through the 8th issue of the festival magazine, pay attention to key areas of leadership that the magazine carries and help all ladies understand that they can be the greatest leaders by dissolving all barriers affecting their leadership path and making efforts in changing economic systems through implementing policies that will help more
women to lead!