Global Conference 2019

Women in Government: Creating More Pathways to Leadership

In 2018, a record number of women ran for Congress, with a majority of Americans indicating they would like to see more women in top leadership positions—not only in elected office, but across executive government positions. Research has shown that in both business and politics, women are perceived to hold key qualities and behaviors essential for leadership. Women are more likely to use a tone of civility and respect, to convey compassion and empathy, and to be better at working out compromises and standing up for what they believe in. However, gender-based gaps in governmental leadership persist, with structural barriers and uneven expectations holding women back from professional ascension. How can we better enable a pipeline of women candidates and create more defined pathways to leadership for both appointed and elected positions? How are women in positions of power enabling more responsive and inclusive governance? How are current governmental leaders empowering the next generation of women to enter high political offices?