The US presidential elections are fast approaching and there is so much analysis of the Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump debate where it is largely believed that Kamala trounced Donald. My thoughts were tuned to Kamala Harris and what her victory in the USA elections could portend. She obviously would not be the first woman to hold the reins of power as she has had role models at different times in the likes of Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Ceylon, Indira Gandhi of India, Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, Golda Meir of Israel, Isabel Peron of Argentina and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Angela Merkel of Germany and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, among others.

Over time, women have displayed a capacity to yield influence and power, competing favorably with their male counterparts in leadership positions in industry, nation, organisation, or nuclear cells. They have been able to harness their intuition and subtle persuasion to achieve desired outcomes. Undoubtedly, leadership styles differ but the ultimate is to achieve the desired objectives or goals. One cannot but marvel at the achievements of Queen Amina of Zaria who ruled in the mid-sixteenth century and the performance of Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, since 2007 who fearlessly and passionately served her country.

Mention must be made of a few who have headed International Organisations such as the World Trade Organisation’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the International Monetary Fund’s Christine Lagarde. Recently, Nigeria has experienced a wave in which ten of its top banks are headed by women. This was seemingly impossible a couple of decades ago.

Back to Kamala. If she were to win this election, it would be a first in the history of the United States of America – a country referred to as “the most powerful country of the world” – a feat Hillary Clinton failed to achieve. The question that niggles at me is whether the USA is ready for a female President, particularly one of colour. Will they rise above prejudice this time around? I guess, time will tell as we await the outcome of the electoral process. Nevertheless, it is elating to know that Kamala could win the Democratic ticket, evidence enough that her colleagues have confidence in her leadership ability.

Her win will further serve as an encouragement to all females in all parts of the world that they are as competent and qualified as their male counterparts to aspire to the highest office in their environment.

This piece serves as a toast to all women who have over time achieved leadership positions, in whatever role they find themselves in!

Love

Havilah