Women must admire women

Women must admire women. It is incredible the way in which many nurture their families, take care of house chores, and still achieve goals that often are beyond any expectations. This means that a woman who does something of quality has to dedicate a greater amount of time to realize whatever needs to be done. Women have summed responsibilities and only a few have made it to the top. So, there is still much to achieve.

In Brazil, although we have just elected a woman as our country’s president, only around 3% of women in the business world become CEOs of companies. In the USA, the number is also quite despicable, as some sources point to a frustrating 13%. Only a very small number of nations have women occupying a greater amount of decision-making positions, but the reason is often due to legal mandates.

It is, however, in the third sector, or philanthropic arena, where women have at least an equal number of leading roles. Perhaps this is because women are not afraid of turning their passions or dreams of social justice and equity or the planet’s sustainability into their life missions. These aims are not, of course, limited to women. The more men we can seduce to improve the world the better, be it in governments, in the private sector or in the philanthropic world.

So, my dear fellow women, we have a great deal to do, and may 8 March 2011 be a new beginning of an era that transforms our undesired realities into what we wish for our generation and those to come.

Suzana Padua

 

Editors Note 
Suzana Padua, Co-Founder and President, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPE), Brazil;        
Social Entrepreneurs of the Year, Brazil, 2009

Through science, education and local engagement, IPE promotes conservation and sustainable development of Brazil’s natural resources.