1. WOMEN LEADERS: THE BETTER LEADERS
WHAT DO THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCES SAY?
Keshav Prasad Bhattarai
During a course on Trade Union Administration and Management in the International Institute of
Histadrut in Israel in 1997, Raymonde Kan a French female teacher told us that women are truer
to the causes of family, organization and nation and hence will never betray them. They have
better leadership quality than men. „Look at home and realize it in your organization‟ she said.
Further Ms. Kan suggested us to include at least one woman in all negotiations with government
because they will never give in. In a pleasing way she remarked that while the male leaders may
deviate from the vital interests of the organization for some petty interests and benefits that
government or management may offer, women on the other hand will always be away from such
temptations. When some of my friends probably from South Africa and Mauritius wanted to raise
some questions, she quipped „I know, you want to contradict and present some examples, but they
are exceptions and exceptions do not make a rule either in a society or in nature‟.
Everybody knows Mangala Devi, Shailaja Acharya, Sahana pradhan or Bidhya Bhandari in politics
and Anuradha Koirala in social service. To my knowledge and working experiences with women
teacher leaders from Mary Hatwood Futrell (USA), Susan Hopgood ( Australia), Aud Elisabeth Wasa
(Norway) Teopista Birungi Mayanja (Uganda) Sashi Bala Singh (India) to Madhavi Katwal and Purna
Joshi (Nepal), I know they have proven their quality, competency and commitment in leadership
in way much better than their male colleagues. When I was leading teachers bodies in Nepal as
well at South Asia, my experiences in working with women teacher leaders from local to global
level clearly exhibited: whatever responsibilities they are entrusted with, they perform it with
greater vigor, intelligence of mind and superb commitment.
Pages of world history are full of great women heroes. Queen Boudicca (around A.D.30 – 62) for
the first time hoisted the flag of British nationalism and exhibited unparallel resolve to live a life
of dignity or go perished. The legendary Laxmi Bai, popularly known as „Jhansi ki Rani‟ (1835-1858)
was another glorious example. The Joan of Arc (France) Isabella I (Spain), Elizabeth I and
Victoria England) Catherine the Great (Russia) Rajendralaxmi (Nepal) all have exhibited the rare
leadership qualities: from great sacrifice to creativity, intelligence, political astuteness, courage
and bravery to lead the most troubled time of their national history.
Equally, women have given new directions to human civilization with their enriched contributions
in other areas: Jane Austin (literature), Harriet Stowe (Anti – slavery movement), the legendary
Florence Nightingle, Mary Cassatt (painting) Emmeline Pankhurst (Social reformer and campaigner

2. of women suffrage), Marie Curie (scientist) and Emily Murphy ( Women Rights Campaigner). And
obviously they had to struggle much harder than any man to gain that height.
In recent history Golda Meir (Israel) Indira Gandhi (India), Margaret Thatcher (UK) and Benezir
Bhutto (Pakistan) have demonstrated how hard fight women leaders can make when their country
endures hard times. The modern world has also seen great women heroes like Eva Paron, Hellen
Keller, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Hodgkin, Rosa Parks, Mairead Corrigan, Betty Williams, and
Oprah Winfrey, who with their unusual creativity, courage and commitment have given better
leadership in range of human activities. It was the great visionary zeal and sense of courage of
Eleanor Roosevelt (USA), who as Head of UNHRC drafted the declaration of Human Rights and
helped democracy put on more substance and meaning.
HILLARY CLINTON: THE GREAT SECRETARY OF STATE
Robert Gates - one of America's most influential and longest serving defense secretary, who with his
impressive knowledge and experiences having served Eight American Presidents from Richard Nixon to
Barrack Obama in different capacities, has said that Hillary Clinton is one of the great secretary of state
the country ever has. Gates further said that Clinton has proven ability to fit in all those great qualities
that is needed to serve the country and the President as the Secretary of State of the United States.
(TIME, Apr. 18, 2012)
“In a world that is ever more complex, turbulent and dangerous, Secretary Clinton, 64, has made a singular
contribution to strengthening this country's relationships with allies, partners and friends; rallying other
countries to join us in dealing with challenges to the global order, . . . and reaching out to people in scores
of countries to demonstrate that America cares about them” Robert Gates continued.
The first Pentagon Chief carried over by the President of another party for his outstanding capability
further said Clinton “has developed, for the first time, long-range, comprehensive strategies for diplomacy
and development that will strengthen the critical civilian contribution to America's national security
abroad.”
How indefatigable Hillary Clinton is, can best be acknowledged by the number of more than 100
countries she visited in three and half years as Secretary of State. She has covered the distance more
than 13, 15,000 kilometers and spent nearly one year in abroad championing the cause of American people,
American allies, global peace and development including the issues of women and children. It is a matter to
note that next to Clinton it was another woman Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who had set a
record by visiting 96 countries and served her country with greater sense of courage and commitment.
Between Clinton and Albright the world has seen another illustrious woman Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice.
Working brilliantly and wholeheartedly and serve her country under a man who had defeated herself
in her bid to Democratic Party‟s nomination for the Presidential race in 2008, was perhaps the
greatest challenge for Hillary Clinton in her public life. In the beginning she did not enjoy the full

3. confidence of the president she was serving. Senior White House staffs and President‟s aides were
treating her as political rival.
Probably no American Secretary of State had to tread his/ her journey under such precarious
situation. Furthermore she lacked the extensive knowledge, experiences and intellectual moorings on
diplomacy and foreign policy that her predecessors were greatly endowed with. But her exceptional
work ethics, sharp intelligence, political astuteness and inflexible resolve to serve the nation has made
her an amazing Secretary of State in no time. Moreover, as a brilliant politician gifted with skill and
patience to listen people, deal with their concerns and address them with vitality and courage, helped
her wield enormous influence of her country in world arena and make a history around her indomitable
personality.
RISING FEMALE LEADERS IN RISING AFRICA
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the acclaimed economist is the president of Liberia since 2005. She is the first
woman elected to lead a country in modern African history and is called as Iron Lady for her iron will and
determination. Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf, a renowned reformer and peacemaker were jointly awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize in October 2011 with the other two ladies - one from her own country Ms. Leymah Gbowee – a
peace activist and another - Tawakul Karman - a pro-democracy campaigner from Yemen.
Before Johnson Sirleaf was elected, the country was ruined by more than 14 years of civil war that claimed
the lives of more than 200,000 people and displaced one third of its 3.5 million populations. The entire
development infrastructure from road to electricity and water supply had collapsed. Rampant poverty, mass
unemployment and civil discontents had swallowed up the future of the country.
To return peace in the country, Johnson Sirleaf instituted a national dialogue – with similar role as truth
commission. She succeeded in finding a fine balance between forgiving people and making people involved in
atrocities face justice.
The next is Joyce Banda the first female president in Malawi - one of the poorest countries in the world,
with an estimated 75% of the population living on less than $1 (60p) a day. A tireless fighter for women‟s
right, Banda had earned global recognition for founding National Association of Business Women that
lends start-up cash to small-scale traders as Muhammad Yunus‟s Grameen Bank supported poor women in
Bangladesh. Banda the elected Vice President has assumed the Presidency following the death of the
longtime ruler Bingu wa Mutharika amid huge challenge in a terribly male dominated society.
In a recent news story – the fairer leaders - New York Times says that in a first round of parliamentary
election held in Senegal last week, half the candidates were women as per the provision of law. In all sub
Saharan countries they have impressive quotas for women and according to the New York Times six of
them top the world in female representation. In Rwanda 56 percent of parliamentary seats are held by
women – putting these countries well ahead of United States, France and Japan – that are just below 19
percent mark.
Growing number of female politicians in any country is supposed to humanize politics, accelerate
development, ensure better service delivery, reduce corruption, promote accountability and diversify the
policy agenda that promotes equity and justice in all sections of society pursuing the strong will and
determination women leaders are gifted with. This altogether will end conflict among people and peace and

4. development will receive rich dividends. On the light of this, the famous quote of former British Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher that reads-“In politics if you want anything said ask a man: if you want
anything done ask a woman” seems quite true
kpbnepal@gmail.com
The Reporter Weekly, July 16-22,2012