Mentoring Women From Top-Down
Not long ago, while speaking to a group of junior high school girls, I asked them the question: "What does empowerment mean to you?" A bright-eyed 13-year old girl raised her hand and gave me the best definition of the word empowerment I have ever heard. In her words: "empowerment is the ability to make things happen."
If, like me, you work in a women's organization, the word "empowerment" might feel clichéd. However, the young girl's definition really gave me some fresh perspective. Since then, I've been reflecting more deeply about how we really ought to be advancing women's leadership development in Africa. How best can we equip Africa's women to exert influence to make positive things happen? I'm certain that part of the answer lies in having more women in public leadership in Africa.
Women across the world continue to wrestle with many, often conflicting, stereotypes and African women further grapple with the effects of traditional norms that largely determine the path that their lives take. According to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, from 1980 to 2008, 552 million women joined the labour force. Four out of ten workers globally are women.
There is also a subconscious but very pervasive belief that women cannot or should not be leaders. Also according to the UNEGEEW, only 21.8 per cent of national parliamentarians were female as of 1 July 2013, a slow increase from 11.3 per cent in 1995. As a result of these paradigms, many African women do not readily aspire to leadership especially in politics and big business; the two sectors where they could possibly have the most opportunity to "make things happen."
In spite of the gloom, women are steadily rising into influential positions of leadership across Africa. Liberia will forever be remembered as the first African country to democratically elect a female head of state, Rwanda also continues to top the charts in terms of representation of women in parliament.
I really hope that more African governments wake up to the fact that women's leadership will not happen in a vacuum. If we are serious about seeing more women take seats at the public leadership table, we must become deliberate about preparing them for success and mentorship is a critical part of that preparation process. The right kind of mentorship can give ambitious women the critical understanding, knowledge and advice to steer themselves and their careers upwards and forwards.
In my opinion, Africa needs more formalized mentorship programs designed to prepare, inspire and propel women with tools, tips and guidance to advance as leaders and role models. No matter how hard we work towards individual success, mentoring is a powerful force in building the confidence women need to lead effectively.
According to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." I am likewise convinced that women who emerge as leaders should do all they can to support the rise of other women. When done right, mentorship helps us develop accountability as we submit ourselves to the mentor's scrutiny and vice versa.
I encourage women to actively seek mentoring from others, make the most of the mentoring relationship and offer themselves as mentors to other women. That way, we all grow together. I have gained considerably from mentors in my own life. Through one of my mentors, I overcame my unwillingness to confront people. After a series of uncomfortable conversations, I learned that confrontation could actually be healthy for emotional maturity and dealing with the discomfort helps us grow stronger. Giving and receiving mentorship can be challenging. However, without occasional challenge, we are doomed to stunt our growth as leaders.
Mentorship is important for girls too. I have observed that the average African girl grows up in an environment so focused on making her "good" that she struggles to be "great." Most girls grow up being taught that quiet = good. They school in an environment where rote learning = smart, not talking back to the teacher = respect and not confronting people who frustrate her = well behaved. Sadly, this socialization enforces a pattern of behavior that is at variance to what makes for success in the real world. These patterns of behavior are also quite hard to break. Coupled with the pervasive belief that "women are their own enemies" many women remain forever inhibited from enjoying the benefits of mentorship from other women.
Imagine the number of emerging African women leaders who could benefit both personally and professionally through formalized relationships with mentors who share their expertise, experiences and contacts to help them navigate the difficult times that are bound to come along their leadership journey? I want to see an Africa where women are normalized as leaders and through formalized mentorship programs, I am convinced African women can leverage the experience to "make things happen" wherever they are.
Read more at Nigerian Women Development Blog http://www.midelmedia.com
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