If there’s one thing we know, it’s that there are certain fields or professions that are male-dominated – fields such as science, technology, engineering and math. When there aren’t many female role models to look up to in the field, fellow women are less likely to see that career as a viable option, and are more likely to choose another career where women are well-represented. As a result, we encourage women who are interested in these subjects to pursue them and create programs like STEM because we want more women to be able to do what they love and to feel better represented.
Related: 6 Cal Poly Women Get Real About Being in STEM
However, there is one important field that we have forgotten to support and empower women in: politics. If there’s one industry that seems to be perpetually dominated by men, it’s the political sphere.
Sure, there are female politicians, but according to Rutger’s Center for American Women and Politics, women only make up 19.4 percent of Congress, 24.8 percent of state legislatures and 19 percent of mayors of the hundred largest cities. In addition, according to the World Economic Forum (which rates 144 countries on gender equality, economic opportunity, educational attainment and health and political empowerment) the United States ranked high on the overall gender gap, 73/100.
Although the notion of women in politics doesn’t seem to be as much of a pressing issue as some other fields, the fact is that the number of women in politics is still too low. Thus, we must support women who have an interest in entering politics like we do for women in STEM.
Nicholas Kristoff, a New York Times columnist, wrote that “the most effective way to fight global poverty, to reduce civil conflict, even to reduce long-term carbon emissions, is typically to invest in girls’ education and bring women into the formal labor force.”
Related: 9 Ways Women Can Be More Politically Active in 2017
Modern ideas of superior leadership are more in line with qualities women generally share: empathy, inclusiveness and an open negotiation style. According to a study on the impact of women in public service by Carleton University, women have had a significant impact on “policy…national security, natural resources, the environment, science, human resources and international relations.” This impact rises not only from the inclusion of women’s perspectives but also from their open and collaborative leadership styles.
Women in politics influence how policy resources are spent, and help drive direct change in structural policies including parental leave, child care and pay. Today’s national and global problems require leaders that have diverse skills and ideas that can only come from diverse players. Women bring the skills and different perspectives needed to drive effective solutions. In short, female leaders help bring about change.
Having more female leaders changes the norms about who can lead and what qualities are necessary for leadership, showing everyone what women can achieve. That’s why it is important that we also encourage women to keep pushing forward and pursue careers in politics, just like we do for women in STEM.