Recent appointment of Sushila Karki as Nepal’s Chief Justice has brought cheers and effusion. With three females leading executive, legislature, and judiciary, this is one of the finest moments in the history as a society of justice and equal opportunity.
In the world arena, Theresa May became just the second woman to become UK’s Prime Minister. Angela Merkel took the helm of Germany almost a decade ago and continues to dominate the EU and world politics. On the spotlight is Hillary Clinton who is set to become the most powerful person on the planet provided that Americans will reject Donald Trump‘s calculative and derogative spews directed towards her.
What does this mean with regards to women empowerment and gender equality in Nepal and the world ?
Nepalese President Ms Bidhya Bhandari, Speaker of House Ms Onsari Gharti Magar, and Chief Justice Ms Sushila Karki. Picture source: http://nepaliheadlines.com
For Nepal, it certainly is symbolic. We have been pinched and punched by pessimists and opportunists alike about gender inequality. While there’s still a long way to go, the increase in female representation in all stakes of the society is a grind of two prominent ongoing transformations.
First is the Jana-Andolan II and opportunities it has brought about. With the royalty gone, so has the influence of its nexus of upper class elite. Appointment of vital positions in judiciary, diplomacy, military, and bureaucracy is now open for the greater proportion of the public.
The second, and the more contributing factor of the two, is the quiet and constant improvement in education during the past few decades – one palpable significance being the rise in our human development index despite the derailing economy. Although we are yet to see a lady in the top executive post of Prime Minister, it will only be a matter of time. However, positive changes like this are already in the air.
Nepal’s HDI has been positively influenced by improvement in education.
Source: http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/NPL.pdf
For the west, and most importantly the US, the moment has finally arrived. While Hillary may claim the milestone, foundations were laid long ago – thanks to the recurring waves of gender equality movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Compared to their male counterparts, whether female politicians are more compassionate and empathetic, especially towards the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid, is difficult to generalize. Similarly, it’s almost impossible to anticipate whether they are fairer and robust. Top jobs are team efforts with huge number of people doing their own bits. History has shown, just like male leaders, some female leaders have championed, some of them messed around, and others have gone virtually unnoticed. However, for male-dominated society messed up and full of demagogues and hypocrites, it’s obvious a higher level of social justice is expected of female ones.
There is greater significance of female leaders’ rise to the top of social ladder. It’s the hope and inspiration they instill in young minds so we can see more of them in future. This collectively projects the society to equality and enrichment.
Go ladies, go!
