TWO weeks ago was my first time being a chairman of a regional high-level communications governance event. At first, I wanted to cower, then I leaned all the way into my calling. This blessed opportunity got me reflecting about the current sentiments on female leaders, especially those shared and found within the digital space in the current context.
The ascent of a woman to a nation’s highest office is often a landmark moment, a shattering of the proverbial glass ceiling. Yet, this tenure can expose a troubling paradox: while a woman holds the top job, a deep-seated crisis of confidence in female leadership persists, threatening to undermine the very progress she represents. The initial optimism can give way to a more complex reality, rooted in a patriarchal social context and a political culture unaccustomed to female authority.
This double standard puts female leaders in an impossible position. In many parts of the world, women are held to a different standard than men. A male leader who is tough and decisive is admired; a female leader who displays the same qualities is often labelled as “cruel” or “unfeeling.”
Asian Woman Leadership 