LEADERSHIP AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: CASE STUDY

Leadership and Women Empowerment: A Case Study

Abstract

One critical aspect in political leadership is the politics of gender. Russell (1997) asked: “Women are flexing a lot of muscle in Washington, and the results are revolutionary: two justices on the Supreme Court, a powerful legislative agenda, and the first female secretary of state ever; so why can't women win more elections?” Other high-profile appointments such as that of Alexis Herman, a black woman and key White House staff member to Secretary of Labor, did not change the arithmetic of gender issues in politics. The number of women in the senate remains fixed at less than 10 percent; in the House, women picked up three seats, not enough to effect a shift in power. Obstacles to women's participation in politics continue to exist including the male model of politics, the nature of electoral systems, and the lack of party support.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Chapter 1: Introduction4

Chapter 2: Literature Review9

Defining Women's Political Leadership9

The Women's Movement33

Women Form Political Organizations34

Women Begin To Run For Office34

Consequences of Women In Political Leadership37

Women As Political Leaders In State And National Legislatures: A Case Study38

Chapter 3: Methodology50

Research Method52

Literature Selection Criteria53

Search Technique53

Keywords Used53

Theoretical Framework53

Chapter 4: Discussion54

Chapter 5: Conclusion68

References77

Chapter 1: Introduction

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this thesis was to test the idea that women in positions of power facilitate the enactment of gender-specific measures or whether they continue to focus on the national security interests of their countries. I am particularly interested in women that have come into power in developing countries, post-conflict and have chosen the following women leaders to perform my analysis: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia (2006-present) and President Violetta Chamorro of Nicaragua. I chose these women because of the titles they secured in developing countries but also because they are from different parts of the world, and I believe that a broad scope, such as this, will be more interesting than one that focuses on women leaders in just one region, like Southeast Asia. I think it will add depth to my analysis and also offer an interesting comparison between regions.

Background of the Study

While the presence of women at the political level can be traced to the Middle Ages when queens ruled vast empires, their numerical representation in modern legislatures and the executive positions is relatively poor. The discrimination of women in all fields of activity continues in many parts of the world. However surmounting such odds, women outshine their male counterparts in areas like management, corporate and business enterprises. The breaking of the glass ceiling occurred slowly but surely. Hitherto male territory even in sports like wrestling, boxing and weightlifting are witnessing enthusiastic participation by women. The region of study here, namely South Asia, is unique in several respects. South Asia as a region has elected more women to the helm of public affairs as state executive that any other region in the world. Yet the plight of the common women has hardly ...