Day 7: #Leadership4Change: The Debate of Generations
#Setting: A university amphitheater buzzing with energy. At the podium stands Mr. Njoro, a man advocating for pro-women leadership. Opposite him is Mrs. Atieno, a staunch critic of women in leadership. Between them, the vibrant & outspoken Zara, a Gen Z student, watches intently, waiting to interject. The audience comprises students, professors, & curious onlookers.
#Njoro:
"Leadership is not tied to gender or birth,
It’s anchored in character, wisdom, & worth.
Rwanda’s parliament—61% women!
A beacon of hope where equity is given.
When women lead, economies grow,
Empathy flourishes, & justice flows."
#Atieno:
"Bah! These modern ideas, they twist & bend,
In tradition’s name, this trend must end!
A woman’s place is home, hearth, & care,
Not boardrooms, courtrooms, or leadership's chair.
Show me the strength in this so-called fight,
When cultures crumble, is that progress or blight?"
#Zara:
"Excuse me, elders, if I may intrude,
But your perspectives? They’re quite subdued.
We’re a generation that rewrites the story,
Where leadership’s earned, not tied to glory.
You speak of tradition, you speak of the new,
But isn’t justice about what’s fair and true?"
#Njoro:
"Statistics don’t lie—take Kenya’s rise,
Women in leadership are redefining the prize.
Wangari Maathai planted more than trees,
She planted hope, harmony, a world at ease.
And did you know, when women hold power,
Corruption wanes, brighter futures flower?"
#Atieno:
"Corruption wanes? What a clever spin,
Yet many men claim women can’t win.
Take corporate boards—how many are led?
A token here, a gesture there, thinly spread.
I’ve seen the stumbles, I’ve seen the falls,
So why disrupt society’s halls?"
#Zara:
"With all due respect, that argument’s stale,
Blaming progress is an epic fail.
Women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shine bright,
Running the WTO, a guiding light.
Jacinda Ardern led with compassion & skill,
Her impact was global; her leadership, a thrill.
And studies show, gender-diverse teams excel,
Breaking ceilings, casting spells."
#Njoro:
"Let’s not forget what lies at stake,
When young minds listen & awaken to break,
The chains of patriarchy, rusted & old,
A future of equity, bold & gold.
The world needs women’s voices, clear,
For peace, progress, & a vision sincere."
#Atieno:
"Hmph! You argue well, I’ll give you that,
But this debate’s about more than a stat.
It’s about legacy, roots, & lore,
Things we cannot afford to ignore.
Yet, perhaps, it’s time I see a crack,
In the rigid walls I’ve built at my back."
#Zara (smiling):
"Eureka! A breakthrough! Change is near,
Because progress isn’t about fear.
It’s about balance, respect, & might,
For women & men to rise, united in fight.
Leadership isn’t a crown or throne,
It’s building a world where everyone’s grown."
The crowd applauses, Njoro nods approvingly, Atieno concedes.
...End...
#GenderEquality #16Days #Leadership #EndGBV UNDP Dr Stanley Arumugam
SPiD Consulting UN Women
