by Dr. Deborah Bauers

Created on: March 17, 2008

The concept of potential superior female leadership of developing countries is a theoretical idea at best. It is highly unlikely that women will achieve political prominence in any of the less developed countries of the world in the foreseeable future. In a United Nations Press Release at the beginning of 2008, Secretary Anders Johnsston postulated that the world would likely not see equal male/female representation in parliament before the midpoint of this century.

Sadly, there are several monumental obstacles that must be hurdled before global parity in political leadership can be reached. It will be, potentially, even longer for women to assume leadership in developing countries. Even America, considered progressive and forward in her thinking, has waited for over two hundred years before seriously considering putting a woman in the White House. Currently, over 83% of the seats in both US houses of congress are still held by men.

Thirteen of the world's developing countries have no female ministerial representation in their cabinets. Eight other countries have no female parliamentary representation, while another seven have less than 3% of legislative seats occupied by women. In many of these regions a woman is not accorded the same rights and privileges as her husband and her primary role is bearing children. Still other nations deny women basic human rights and treat them, not as persons, but as chattel. It is not even conceivable that these countries, so far removed from dignifying the role of women in their societies, could possibly sanction women in positions of political leadership. Their governments are years away from recognizing the valuable contributions that might be made by female leaders.

Women have historically involved themselves in social reforms and philanthropic endeavors. This is partly because they have not been permitted to engage in the political and financial fields of their respective governments. However, to be fair, the female sex has always been more responsive to the plight of depressed and downtrodden peoples due to her traditional role as nurturer. Unfortunately, male leaders who have engaged in humanitarian efforts have been lauded as savvy politicians while the same activity, conducted by women, has been viewed as an appropriate venue for the weaker sex to involve themselves in.

In many cultures a man may be verbally assertive, even aggressive, and his actions are seen as an indication of his prowess and strength. But let a woman

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