Not so long ago, the idea that women might rule the world seemed slightly
ridiculous - like something out of science fiction. But in an essay to mark
International Women's Day, political analyst and former White House press
secretary Dee Dee Myers argues it's now a topic that can be seriously
discussed.
Women clearly lacked the intellectual capacity and emotional fortitude to make
the difficult decisions that leadership required. It wasn't bias, it was
biology - it was just the way women were made.
But that was then. In recent decades, attitudes and ideas have changed - and
fast. That's not to say that every corner of the world has welcomed women
moving from the traditional and private into the modern and public. But move
they have.
So what's changed? A lot. As a huge and growing body of research and experience
makes clear, empowering women makes things better. Not perfect. But better.
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About the author
Dee Dee Myers with Bill Clinton in 1995
Dee Dee Myers, a political analyst, was White House press secretary for the
first two years of Bill Clinton's presidency.
Business is more profitable. Governments are more representative. Families are
stronger, and communities are healthier. There is less violence - and more
peace, stability and sustainability.
Why? Well, it starts with the simple fact that women often experience life
differently. And that experience affects the way we see problems - and think
about solutions.
"Diversity is absolutely an asset," says Christine Lagarde, the managing
director of the International Monetary Fund.
"With diversity you bring different ways of looking at the world, different
ways of analysing issues, different ways of offering solutions. The sheer fact
of diversity actually increases the horizon and enriches the thinking process,
which is critical."
Both women and men often say that women communicate differently, that they
listen, encourage dialogue, and build consensus.
Studies also show that women also lead differently than men. They're more
likely to be collaborative, inclusive and team-oriented, all characteristics
that tend to be effective, particularly in today's less-hierarchical,
fast-paced, innovation-driven world.
"I think it's fair to say that women are a little more collaborative in their
approach overall, and a little less driven to conflict as opposed to driven to
working out problems," says Janet Napolitano, the US Secretary of Homeland
Security.
Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, says that women also bring an
inter-generational perspective to their work. "We need to take decisions now
that will make for a safer world for our grandchildren and their grandchildren,
and I think women are more likely to do that when they come into positions of
leadership."
Acknowledging that men and women bring different qualities and different skills
to public life is critical. For too long, women were expected to think like men
and act like men if they wanted to succeed.
But increasingly their differences are seen as a source of strength rather than
a weakness to be overcome.
Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the US House of
Representatives, tells women to simply be themselves. "You are the only person
who can make your unique contribution. Your authenticity is your strength, be
you."
That's not to say there aren't obstacles, there are. Women have long been
judged by a double standard. Study after study shows that their accomplishments
are just a little less valued - and they have less margin for error.
Sometimes it's women who hold themselves back - they don't own their own value,
raise their hands for promotions or ask for more money.
Despite these ongoing challenges, the benefits of empowering women are
undeniable. Women are the engine driving global economic growth.
Last year, women were responsible for $20tn ( 13.3tn) in spending, and by 2014,
that number is expected to increase to $28tn ( 18.6tn). And when women have
more cash, they spend it differently. They feed their families healthier diets
and send their children to school. They invest in clean water, better schools,
education and health care. They start businesses and hire other women. The
entire community prospers.
As a result, investing in women has become more than good public relations. It
has become a strategic imperative for companies around the world.
Women are also essential to building and sustaining peace. Today, nearly half
of peace agreements fail within five years in no small measure because half the
stakeholders are excluded.
When women are at the table, they help bridge the gap between different groups
and ensure that a broader range of issues, from food security to sexual
violence, are addressed. As a result, peace is more likely to take root.
Former US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice says she has learned
first-hand that you need women to participate in the peace process.
"First and foremost women are often the guardians of the village, the family,
and are therefore the ones who suffer most in conflict zones. They're often the
target of marauding forces, the target of those who would rape and maim and if
you can engage them in the process, then they also can help the society to
heal."
So empowering women isn't about political correctness, it's about improving
outcomes. It's about investing in stronger economies and healthier communities
- it's about ending conflicts, and sustaining peace. It's about improving the
quality of life for people all over the world.
Empowering women isn't just the right thing, it's the necessary thing. And
because women are increasingly ruling, the world is changing for the better.