Page 32 - Q1 2021
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FEATURE
Do women at the top
need to be labelled
S
By Funmilola Idowu
The lack of women in positions of power isn’t solely exposes us to harsh, limiting assessments solely
because of systemic prejudice and oppression based on the fact that we are not men. While male
that so often holds us back. It’s also because as a leaders are allowed to have complex personalities,
woman aspiring for power, you need to understand powerful women are often summed up by
that the stakes are higher; understand that you will hackneyed stereotypes that undermine them and
be under scrutiny; have courage to be disliked and their power.
get comfortable with being labelled a b*tch (often
connoting an unpleasant person to work with) and The stereotype of the “horrible female boss”
accept the stereotype that comes with being a persists because expectations for women in
woman holding power. While women continue to power are set so high that it’s nearly impossible for
gain seats of power, building their ranks as heads any human being to meet them. The explanation
of state, corporate leaders, our minority status is usually psychological: both women and men
32 | The Lion King | Jan - Mar 2021
