Women Leadership: Changing the Narrative

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This article first appeared in Preach Through My Lyrics Magazine. To get your free copy to follow this link.

“There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things, as we have seen by the example of many saints who have done great things. And I hope in God that it will be seen that women in time to come will do much.” - Mary Ward, 1617.

These were the words of a woman who lived in a time of great conflict for the Roman Catholic Church in England. A time when women were not seen to even have the ability to comprehend spirituality let alone become leaders. Mary Ward was dedicated to serving the poor and her methods were questioned by the church. Centuries later she inspired the likes of Mother Teresa and in our time the late Professor Wangari Maathai.

When I think of women and leadership Mary Ward is one person I admire. She cannot be termed as a feminist because her dedication was to serving God despite her being an advocate of girl child rights.

Women are a powerhouse, their nurturing nature makes them unstoppable leaders. The most special gift given to women is one of childbearing, which makes them closer to God. When we come into this world, our lives depended on a woman for at least nine months. In addition, God created her as a helper for a man (Gen 1:18) which means that she brings order and productivity into life.

Also read: 7 Issues that Women Deal With at Different Points in Life

For centuries, women have had to defy the odds to take on a leadership positions. Closer home, Kenya is struggling to implement the 1/3 gender rule in leadership. So what is the problem? We inherited a patriarchal society from creation which has been exploited by men and women alike. God created man to be the head of the home but women were to be equal partners. No place in the scriptures forbids women's leadership. 

Yes, Paul asked women to be submissive and quiet (1 Corinthians 14: 34 – 35) because of the challenges that were in the church at that time. The same man worked with women like Phoebe who was a deacon sharing a title with Paul, Apollos, and Epaphras (Romans 16:1-2) He also worked with Priscilla and Aquila who had an excellent understanding of the gospel (Acts 18:26). To say that Paul did not advocate for women leaders will be inaccurate. In Galatians 3:38 (KJV) Paul pointed out that everyone is equal before God... ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye is all one in Christ Jesus.

The time has come for society to change its mindset in terms of women's leadership. Women account for 50.1% of the Kenyan population and gender parity is yet to be achieved in leadership. In the just concluded elections, the number of women legislatures has risen meaning if more women were bold enough to run for office they can be elected. Affirmative action is not the best option but rather believing in women's leadership is.

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Women who dared to stand for something moved the world. In a generation of women empowerment and gender equity, there is room for more daring women to transform society. 

Also Read: 7 Attributes of a woman

When Queen Esther made the decision to appear before the King she was risking her life for the sake of her community (Esther 4:11) but her boldness saved them. Rahab also made a risk to hide the spies representing the Israelites which saved her whole family later (Joshua 2:1-24).

As I sum up, there is one character of leadership I would like to highlight, one that was demonstrated by Dorcas in the Bible. This woman used what she had to care for the widows and was not after recognition. When she passed on, the widows were distressed that Peter raised her from the dead (Acts 9:36-43). It is not just women's leadership that will transform this nation but selfless service to God and humanity.

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