Women Leadership in Africa - Essay Example

Women Leadership in AfricaMost African countries are experiencing crisis that results from poor leadership strategies. It has been argued that most of these problems can be solved by increasing the number of women in leadership positions. Although most countries have set a quota system to increase the number of women leaders in their legislative assemblies, most countries have not implemented these systems. Currently, the continent has Ellen Johnson and Joyce Banda as the only female presidents.

Although African countries have women leaders in other key positions, women do not have a fair representation in African politics. Competent women leaders are required for good functioning of African governments. For instance, the civil wars that have devastated the continent for decades are based on tribal rivalry. Most leaders in current African governments have been elected into power through such tribal associations. This makes them support ethnic divisions that have continued to trouble the continent.

The African continent is also suffering from unequal distribution of resources. Although the continent is endowed with resources such as oil and other precious minerals, the continent has not fully benefitted from this resource. In addition, these resources have become a source of conflicts that have ruined most countries. Conflicts Liberia, Angola, Nigeria, and Congo are related to availability of resources in these countries. These problems can be solved by increasing the number of female political leaders in African governments.

Unlike men, women are against conflicts and they support equitable distribution of a country’s wealth. Thus, women leadership and competence is necessary for a good functioning political system in Africa. Women leaders are also likely to empower women through education and entrepreneurship and this will liberate Africans from poverty.