Theresa May: Significance Of Women In Politics

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS FOLLOWING THERESA MAY'S ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS UK PRIME MINISTER 

With Theresa May assuming office as the new UK Prime Minister and Hillary Clinton knocking on the door of the American presidency, the talk has turned to "the year of the woman" once again. It has been 37 years since Margaret Thatcher occupied number 10 Downing Street. There are inevitable comparisons of May to Thatcher and the trumpeting of the hope that more women in power will make the world a kinder and better place. It sounds very familiar to the predictions that Obama, as the first black President of the United States of America, would make race relations in the US and the world in general, a better place. However, the facts on the ground suggest that most of the things his election was supposed to improve, beginning with race relations, have rather deteriorated. It is exciting to have more women in politics because it brings about badly needed diversity as and breaks the male domination. It is the genuine expectation of everyone that, in spite of their gender, women will excel in politics and other leadership positions. Because of the biases of patriarchal societies, a woman must overcome a lot to succeed in politics. Thus the women who succeed deserve the respect and admiration of all. 

Theresa May's opponent, also a woman, invoked her childlessness, in a cruel reminder of the obstacles women face. Nobody would have made an issue of George Washington's childlessness. History has some lessons-- both hopeful and otherwise. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the first woman elected Prime Minister, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher-- What has the world learned from them? The first lesson is that they were strong and enduring leaders. Mrs. Bandaranaike served 18 total years as Prime Minister, Thatcher served 11years and Gandhi served 4 terms as Prime Minister. Gold Meir only served five years but in Israeli Politics, that was an eternity. 

Many have the mistaken belief that women are kinder and gentler leaders. But that notion cannot be supported by the facts. Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir and Margaret Thatcher all led wars. Mrs. Clinton voted for the Iraq war and was the main architect of the Libya policy that killed Col. Gaddafi. Both Obama and Sanders were against the Iraqi war and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan described Hillary as to quote "one wicked woman" unquote.  This does not mean the women are more war-like. It simply means they are just like the men. They can be as polarising as the men. Thatcher came in touting Francis of Assisi, and I quote "Where there is discord, let us bring harmony," unquote, but when she left, there was little harmony. She was tough, in a good way. Before she earned the appellation, "Iron Lady", it had been owned by Golda Meir.  Gandhi presided over a state of emergency and a crackdown on Sikhs that ultimately led to her assassination. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a tough fiscal conservative and Theresa May is, to put it kindly, tough on immigration. The world is in for interesting times, as women, once again, try to make this, another year or era of the woman. 

But it will be disillusional for anyone to expect a kinder and gentler world. Regardless of how many women get into leadership, the world will continue to be a dangerous place.

BY DR. KOBINA ARTHUR KENNEDY, A US BASED GHANAIAN PHYSICIAN WITH INTEREST IN DEVELOPMENT