Women’s participation and influence is critical to decision making
Research shows that when women take leadership roles in public administrations, governments are more responsive and more accountable.
Equality and diversity at all levels and in all sectors of public administration make governments more responsive and accountable to diverse public interests, enhances the quality of services delivered, and increases trust and confidence in public organizations.
However, in every single region of the world, women are still significantly outnumbered by men when it comes to leadership and decision-making positions.
According to a 2021 report from the United Nations Development Programme and the Gender Inequality Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh, in every single region of the world, women are still significantly outnumbered by men when it comes to leadership and decision-making positions. On average, women account for 46% of public administrators but hold just 31% of top leadership positions.
The report also found that gender equality is paramount for inclusive and accountable public administration. It concluded that when women take leadership roles in public administrations, governments are more responsive, more accountable and the quality of public services delivered improves markedly.
Earlier research conducted by the United Nations found that when women are in power, policies relating to ending violence against women, childcare services and healthcare tend to get more attention. Governments also tend to be less corrupt and political parties more likely to work together.
But at the current rate of progress, it will take 130 years to reach gender equality in the highest positions of power globally. To change course, we must find ways to ensure power is shared equally, and made visible and accountable at all levels.
What the Numbers Say
The data speaks volumes - greater participation of women in decision-making roles delivers tangible benefits.
Studies by the United Nations, World Bank and top research firms showing increased profitability, productivity, innovation, and more when women take on more leadership positions.
Women bring unique perspectives and life experiences to the table, leading to more comprehensive and creative solutions. A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that gender-diverse teams make better decisions and are more innovative.
A study in the journal "Group Processes & Intergroup Relations" found that gender-diverse groups tend to excel in complex problem-solving tasks, as they consider a wider range of perspectives and information.
More gender diversity in senior positions contributes to more prudent and stable lending decisions, leading to higher bank profitability and lower non-performing loans, as highlighted in the IMF's report 'Powerful Women, Powerful Results' in 2018.
Research by Boston Consulting Group indicates that startups founded and co-founded by women tend to generate more revenue per dollar invested than those founded by men, yet they receive significantly less venture capital funding.
Research by McKinsey & Company found that companies with a higher proportion of women in executive roles are 21% more likely to outperform their counterparts in terms of profitability.
The World Economic Forum reports that increasing women's participation in the workforce can boost the global GDP by trillions of dollars. Gender-inclusive decision-making is essential for realizing this economic potential.
Peace agreements are 35% more likely to last 15 years if women participate in the negotiation process, according to a report from the Council on Foreign Relations titled 'Women's Participation in Peace Processes' in 2020.
When women are elected to political office, spending on health and education in their constituencies increases by 3.5% and 1.6%, respectively, as reported by UN Women in their 'Women's Political Participation and Leadership' study in 2022."
A study by Credit Suisse Research Institute found that companies with at least one woman on their board of directors outperformed those with all-male boards in terms of share price performance by an average of 26% over a six-year period.
According to research by the World Bank, countries with greater gender equality are associated with lower levels of corruption and better governance. Women in leadership roles often prioritize transparency and accountability.
Parliamentarian and former Vice-President of the Parliament, Tunisia
Mehrezia Maïza Labidi
“I chaired a majority of the plenary sessions on Tunisia’s new constitution. It was my first time in politics, and I ended up writing a constitution!”
Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown
But it wasn’t easy, the constitutional debates were always very tense. One day everyone was asking for the floor, speaking at the same time. It was chaos. One of my male colleagues wanted the floor. When I refused, asking him to respect the process, his answer stunned me. He said: ‘Respect? I have no respect for you, you are a woman.’ He thought I could not chair the session, just because I was a woman.
We hadn’t established the standing rules yet, but I made a decision to pause the session, and asked the colleague to come to my office for disciplinary action. I looked strong, but I was trembling inside.
He apologized to me, and when we went back to the plenary session, he apologized to all women in Tunisia.
Something changed that day. It gave me credibility. People started to pay attention.
A researcher recently told me that young women interested in politics in Tunisia consider me to be a role model. It’s a heavy responsibility! I want young women to believe that they have capacities.
I always tell them, when you have an opinion, give it; don’t be shy. I also tell them never to settle for second or third place when they can be first.
Women in politics are still women. We can laugh and be joyful and still be in politics. We do not want to be like men, we want to be ourselves and still engage effectively in politics.
I want the African Women’s Leaders Network to give visibility to women leaders across Africa. I want us to share and empower each other. Women have to be at the heart of the Africa of tomorrow.