In August 2024, Área Mujer, a joint program between Global Peace Foundation Paraguay and Global Peace Women, hosted a pivotal webinar titled “The Democratic Leadership of Women: Advancements and Challenges.” This engaging discussion, featuring María Angélica Cano Radil, explored the evolution of women in leadership, their roles in shaping democratic societies, and the cultural and institutional challenges they continue to face. With participants from across Latin America and beyond, the webinar emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in creating inclusive, equitable governance.
In her opening, María Angélica Cano Radil highlighted that leadership, though widely studied, remains a concept that defies easy definition. Drawing from her experiences and leadership studies, she emphasized that leadership is not merely about authority but about guiding groups toward shared objectives. Women, historically excluded from public leadership roles, are now breaking barriers and contributing to democratic processes through empathy, collaboration, and a holistic approach to problem-solving.
María Angélica’s analysis resonated with the concept of leadership as a learning process. She shared that, while charisma and certain innate traits may aid leadership, many of the skills needed—such as public speaking, strategic planning, and negotiation—are learned.
“This is significant for women aspiring to leadership roles, especially in spaces traditionally dominated by men,” she said.
The challenges faced by women leaders are deeply entrenched in societal structures. Despite progress, patriarchal norms persist in many spheres, limiting women’s participation in politics and leadership. As María Angélica explained, the cultural obstacles women face are more insidious than legal or institutional barriers, which have been slowly dismantled over time. Even today, women are often judged not on their capabilities but on superficial aspects such as appearance or stereotyped as being more effective when silent. This cultural violence is a major hurdle for women seeking leadership roles.
The struggle for gender equality in leadership is also compounded by economic factors. Women often lack access to the same resources as men, particularly when it comes to campaign financing. Without significant financial backing, many women are excluded from political races or are forced to fight twice as hard to be recognized.
Despite these challenges, significant strides have been made in placing women in leadership roles. As María Angélica explained, the feminization of politics represents more than just increasing the number of women in power—it brings a fresh perspective to governance. Women leaders tend to prioritize policies around care, social welfare, and community development, contributing a more compassionate and empathetic approach to politics.
Women’s participation in politics has grown over the past century, spurred by significant global events such as the World Wars and the Industrial Revolution. These events forced women into public roles and contributed to their growing presence in the workforce. Today, their participation is recognized not only as a right but as essential for the health of democratic systems.
María Angélica’s presentation was not only a reflection on the state of women’s leadership but a call to action. For women to fully participate in democratic leadership, societies must confront the cultural barriers that still persist and recognize the innate value of both men and women. The responsibility also lies with women to support one another and create networks that enable them to thrive in political and leadership spaces.
Global Peace Women advocates for women’s leadership in peacebuilding, governance, and community development. We work to empower women to lead in their families, communities, and countries by fostering partnerships and providing training that equips them with the tools needed to succeed in leadership roles. Championing women’s leadership remains vital in ensuring that the next generation of women leaders can build on the progress made and continue to push for a world where democratic leadership reflects the diversity of its people. As María Angélica Cano Radil pointed out, female leadership is not just an act of justice—it is a necessity for the survival and thriving of democratic institutions.