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CAN WOMEN BE BUSINESS LEADERS IN SWAZILAND?

04/03/2014 04:27:00 The editor

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Sir,

Women leaders in Swaziland represent a relatively smaller proportion than men, in spite of their being economically active in the age groups of 55–64 years (see the report ‘Reproductive Health at a Glance, 2013’). For example, few women occupy such leadership positions as CEOs in industry.

On the other hand, women make up the larger population employed in industries. Few of these are visibly placed in high positions. In spite of all this, women are gradually beginning to realise their unleashed potential.
Can Swazi women really break this barrier? What is the performance of those lucky ones in strategic positions to warrant a justification for their support? An assessment of the performance of those already in these positions can help analyse their status quo.
Identifying possible obstacles that

hinder their upward mobility becomes imperative, coupled with an assessment of the contributions of women groups to advancing the empowerment drive of women leaders in Swaziland.
There is no doubt about their capabilities and competences to deliver, evident in their participation in various associations and cooperatives.
In light of these observations, three key fundamental questions come to light:

*   Can women leaders truly enhance their leadership competencies to compete favourably with their male counterparts?
*   Are there any significant barriers that restrain them from assuming high-placed positions within the leadership echelons?
*   Can society’s perception be positively changed to accommodate women leaders’ ability to perform?
One is thus compelled to further interrogate the nature of women leadership in our industries. Gaining deeper insight into these parameters will help outline the challenges these leaders face and, therefore, advance their case to garner the support of policymakers.

For example, the SADC protocol on gender and development advocates for the need to empower women to prioritise and support their various programmes.
A framework to facilitate the improvement of women leaders to perform so as to contribute to the bottom-line of their organisations needs particular attention if women leaders are to gain an equal grounding with their male counterparts.
Both men and women leaders are invited to participate in this national discussion and air their sentiments.

Collin Kamalizeni, Lecturer at Mananga Centre in Ezulwini
collink54@yahoo.com

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Comments (2 posted):

Phindile on 04/03/2014 23:37:46

Interesting article and a good read for a wake up call to Swaziland. In short, I am a proud Swazi leaving overseas, holding an executive management job, leading men and women, why the is no chauvinism, gender inequality and the attitude that women belong in the kitchen". Shame I cannot put these skills back to my own mother land and help our community health government and/ or contribute and learn from others, why? No one will give me a job because " I am a woman". I rest my case

collin Kamalizeni on 16/04/2014 16:03:55

The role that women play in our society needs closer examination and a lot more deeper thought. While it may not be easy to provide support for our women today, we need to start advocating for the authorities that be, in a bid to influence policy changes and create a turnaround in this direction. The scenario should change and we do not need activists to do that, but an empowerment drive can help our women assume active leaders are confined to those that are more feminine, like leading a church committee of some sort of secretarial function. we need to place women in those economically and politically active roles. Think of the number of women who go to the polls each time elections are conducted, the number of women in development projects in our communities, the number of women supporting our industries in the Matsapha area ... the list is endless. Now, where do we begin? It is through your involvement Phindile that we can make a difference and this is where your hard won skills are much needed! We need to advocate for a policy that make the girl child a significant factor that is self-esteemed and willing to move from being a 'card holder'. Assertiveness right from the primary, through to high school should take a central place!