The decision by Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga to nominate former Justice Minister Martha Karua as his running mate is laudable. Entrusting women with such political office is a step in the right direction.

Over the years, there have been efforts to advance the presence of women in top leadership. The progress has been slow, but in recent years, the campaign to promote women’s leadership has gained momentum.

From the corporate world to government appointments and elective positions, there has been an increase in women’s presence. Initially, the campaign was mainly in more non-conservative nations.

According to UN Women, as of last year, there were only 26 women serving as heads of state and government in the world.

Only 21 per cent of global government ministers were women and only 14 nations had more than 50 per cent of women in the Cabinet. In national legislative bodies, only 25 per cent are women. Only four countries have more than 50 per cent of elected women in leadership while 19 countries have surpassed the 40 per cent of elected leaders being women.

These statistics are quite low, but it is the global trend of women rising in leadership that will help shape the perception of the society about women in leadership, particularly in elective positions. Appointive posts are easily achievable via legislation.

The benefits of having women in leadership can’t be listed exhaustively. A woman leader is often organised, empathic and inclusive. In Parliament, women have been known to work across party lines through the women’s caucuses to enhance objective legislation.

The history of women’s leadership in the modern world probably dates to the election of the first woman President in Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir while Corazon Aquino was the first woman President of the Philippines and Asia at large.

We have had very successful women leaders including UK’s Queen Elizabeth and Angela Merkel of Germany. In Africa, the first female President in 1993 was Slyvie Kiningi of Burundi, who had been Premier before taking over as President after the boss was shot.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia was the first elected woman President in Africa who served two consecutive terms. Sahle-Work Zewde was the first elected female President of Ethiopia. Samia Suluhu Hassan was the running mate and later Vice President of the late President John Pombe Magufuli. After his demise, she took over.

The appointment by Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden of Kamala Haris as his running mate excited the world. This inspired many women and girls that everything is possible for them. After the duo won, she became the second most powerful figure on earth.

In Kenya, there are notable firsts by women in leadership. Grace Akech Onyango was the first female mayor (of Kisumu in 1965). In 1969, she became the first elected woman MP. Others are MPs Phoebe Asiyo of Karachuonyo and Philomena Chelagat Mutai of Eldoret North. Karua, Charity Ngilu and others later joined the fray and conquered impressively.

Currently, women constitute 23 per cent of the elected leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate.

In May 2021, Martha Koome made history as the first female Chief Justice, a position whose mandate she is discharging with admirable excellence. She joined the list of prominent women who have held their position with impressive dedication, commitment and professionalism.

World over, the wave of desire to see women climb up the leadership ladder is so strong because people have seen women do good as leaders.

Women in leadership is a concept that has been tried and tested and the results have been beyond magnificent.

For Kenya, a country that is yearning for and essentially needs transformative, reformist, ethical, inclusive leadership that is only loyal to the common citizen, women’s leadership is highly recommended. We have seen our mothers manage our lives and homes. Let us put our faith in them.

— The writer is the Programmes Lead at Youth Changers Kenya