A Rise in Female Leadership Will Trigger Newfound Economic Growth and Inclusion (By Kelly-Ann Mealia) – African Business

By Kelly-Ann Mealia, Chairperson, Energy Capital & Power (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com)

The election of Her Excellency Francia Márquez as Colombia’s first Black Vice President is a testament to the increasing role women play in leadership positions globally, and both the international and African community should support her as she tackles her new role with drive, innovation and a people-centric approach.

While women’s participation in leadership roles globally has been minimal for centuries, a new wave of female leaders promise change, inclusion and overall equality. H.E., Colombia’s first Black Female Vice President was elected in June 2022. Francia Márquez, an environmental activist who has emerged as a powerful spokesperson for black Colombians and various marginalized communities. H.E. Márquez’ election, a new era of equality and inclusion awaits the country, and the African continent and diaspora as well as the international community needs to rally their support, both of her and other female leaders around the world. (https://nbcnews.to/3Ag0avE)    

Driving Equality

H.E. Márquez has and continues to be a representative of the people of Colombia and her election is considered a historic step towards strengthening equality both in Colombia and globally. As Andes bureau chief at The New York Times (https://nyti.ms/3zKKFu8) Julie Turkewitz stated in an article “the rise of Ms Márquez is significant not only because she is black in a nation where Afro-Colombians are regularly subject to racism and must contend with structural barriers, but because she comes from poverty in a country where economic class so often defines a person’s place in society.” A strong advocate for tackling social disparities, environmental challenges and ineffective policies, H.E. Márquez is an example of what female leaders are capable of, representing an important figurehead both in Colombia and worldwide. As H.E. Márquez has done, a number of female leaders around the world are taking up their rightful place at the leadership table.

The Rise of African Female Leaders

Africa itself is a global leader in women’s public leadership, with five African countries in the top 20 nations for women’s parliamentary representation, four of which have 45% women representation in cabinets. Like H.E. Márquez will in the coming years, these women have been trailblazers, leading their respective countries through economic, social and health crises, driving socioeconomic growth and development and pioneering initiatives to improve the participation of women economically. Notable examples (https://bit.ly/3dsvr5BH.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the former President of Liberia and the founder of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, the fifth President and first woman President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Aja Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, Former Vice President of The Gambia; Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of Namibia; and H.E. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, is just one example.

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Despite the continent’s progress towards equality in leadership, disparity continues to exist in a number of economic sectors. For example, the energy industry, which is a sector that is considered the backbone of every economy, shows that women account for only 22% of all oil and gas workers. Only 17% of these employees are in senior and executive positions, and 1% in CEO roles. Despite progress, it is clear that there is still much more to be done in order to support women in leadership roles.

Rallying Global Support

As H.E. Márquez takes on her new position it has become even more prevalent for the African and global community to support her, as well as other women taking on leadership positions. H.E. is the African diaspora. Márquez represents someone who has seized opportunities and fought for her role in society, while for the global African community, she represents the future of leadership. H.E. is a leader in a world that has seen women fight for their rightful places at the leadership table. Márquez serve as instrumental figures. However, such support must transcend Colombia’s borders, as women increase their presence in leadership on a global basis.

As the leading investment platform for the African energy sector, Energy Capital & Power (ECP) www.EnergyCapitalPower.comEach of its large-scale events is centered around empowering women in leadership and energy. Forums, networking events, and seminars for women in energy emphasize the crucial role that women play in improving access to energy, driving innovation, and positioning Africa as a global leader in energy markets. ECP was founded and led by women. It aims to increase participation and leadership in African energy and rally the support that current and future female stakeholders need.

ECP is Africa-focused but is committed to promoting energy investment on a global scale. South America is no exception. ECP events have been a catalyst for dialogue and strengthened Africa-global energy relations. In 2022, ECP is eager to improve relations further, inviting South American stakeholders to participate in the company’s 2022 event lineup, https://bit.ly/3SMJXVLHelp drive the discussion on women and energy and strengthening female leadership. For both Africa’s and the global economy to thrive, women need to be at the forefront of decision-making, and while H.E. Márquez is not the first female in political leadership worldwide, she most certainly will not be the last.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.