The Hindu Business Line : Women power ahead

The book Why Women Should Rule the World by Dee Dee Myers, the first woman chosen for the job of press secretary to the US President, has once again brought to the fore gender-related issues. The reviews of her book as available on Amazon.com distinctly acknowledge the positive role women can play in changing the environment socially and politically. The book has three distinct parts: Why women don’t rule the world; why women should rule the world; and how women can rule the world. The idea is not to replace men but to work in equal partnership, deriving the benefit of female perspective and judgment. At present women account for only 17 per cent in national parliaments. How can policymakers address all problems with such a low representation, Myers argues.

In a refreshing new approach to gender equality, Myers puts forth a logical assertion, based on biological differences, that women provide an enormous and too often untapped source of talent and bring a different perspective. By nature, motherhood bestows upon them the ability to think of someone else before themselves. Yet another expertise a woman brings to the table is practicality. The underlying thread of the book as sifted from the reviews is not fanatic feminism, but a gentle nudge to acknowledge the usefulness of the skills developed through motherhood, particularly diplomacy, team playing and flexibility. Replete with real-life examples and scientific evidence to support her theory that when women are involved, whatever the endeavour, everyone benefits, the author makes a spirited case “that ‘women power’ is the most neglected political recourse in our arid times,” to quote Douglas Brinkley of The New York Times.

If this is the main thrust of a book from a person steeped in western tradition, with its emphasis on independence and freedom rather than dependence and support, then one can imagine the impact that conservative orientalists can make in transforming the society if only given authority with responsibility.

Personal Experience

Being the ‘first’ for a woman in any field is quite a challenge. Myers confides that lack of family-friendly policy in corporations was an obstacle. She also blames women for undermining themselves, for not taking credit for their accomplishments. I could realise the import of these observations having been a ‘first’ in a number of positions in Indian Railways. I donned the mantle of first lady Divisional Railway Manager, an executive post with uncertain timings and tremendous challenges. The post was acknowledged to be a male bastion and demanding. The work called for scrupulous planning, continuous monitoring and skilful coordination to ensure normal operations, safety, cordial industrial relations and result-oriented marketing efforts. These are managerial attributes which can be developed and successfully practised by any educated and experienced person, irrespective of gender.

What differentiated my approach was in matters which are closely related to, but not directly involved in, running the division. When divisions were ordered to launch a drive against drunken driving in the wake of a major accident with heavy casualties, I deemed it necessary to involve the family members of the loco crew by organising seminars at important railway colonies with the participation of women in large numbers. While the affected employees came for treatment to railway hospitals, counselling by medical experts and psychologists was arranged. Spreading awareness regarding the evils of drinking through distribution of vernacular booklets was another device to bring about a transformation in the attitude of employees.

To meet the educational needs of the children of railway employees, the school run by women’s organisation was upgraded. A crèche for the benefit of working women — a long-pending need of Railway employees — was also opened.

Communication is a vital requirement for the smooth and effective running of any organisation. Apart from customary messages during New Year and Railway Week celebrations, a quarterly in-house magazine was published to help employees share information. When the division received the Runner-up shield for overall efficiency there was visible happiness among the employees and their families.

My personal experience showed that where there is will and enthusiasm, there are millions ways to perform.

Encouraging developments

While greater representation of women in politics may be a distant dream, the prospect of increasing the numbers in service, science and academia appears brighter with the recommendations of the VI Pay Commission. It acknowledges the dual responsibilities of work and family borne by working women and the increasing difficulties in balancing them. Women constitute 7.53 per cent of the Central Government workforce. The Commission has recommended the concept of staggered working hours and child-care leave for two years, besides extending maternity leave to 180 days. It has also recommended setting up of day-care centres/crèches in offices or major residential mandatory. The Government has also been asked to remedy the paucity of residential accommodation for single working women by either building or leasing working women’s hostels. Whether these measures provide the much-needed fillip to increase the percentage of women employees needs to be seen.

Banking sector used to attract a large number of women employees. But with a very stringent transfer policy, coupled with voluntary retirement scheme, the sector sadly saw a large-scale exodus of women in the last decade. At present IT-related jobs are in great demand with the magical figure of one million having been reached in 2004-05. The industry has traditionally been friendly to women, with leading companies recruiting nearly an equal number of women (42 per cent) at the entry level. But are the company policies pro-women to ensure growth and leadership development so that women occupy top positions?

Top Jobs

A recent study by Nasscom and IIM-Ahmedabad shows that less than 10 per cent of top managers in the sector are women, while they constituted 24 per cent of the total workforce. Nasscom expects this figure to go up to 30-45 per cent by 2010. The study has revealed that 50 per cent of women in middle-level felt that there were no targeted leadership development programmes for women. There was also large-scale attrition due to family pressures, long working hours and frequent travel requirements and shifting priorities due to mid-life adjustments. The study recommends best practices such as providing sabbaticals, option for day shifts and special focus on staffing team with women to ensure fair play and justice. The study has thrown up the need for a suitable legislation covering both public and private sector to ensure career growth and adequate representation for women.

Can women sustain their goal and continue their contribution?

Soft skills

The book Why Women Should Rule the World has shown that the world can be better off if appropriate recognition is accorded to soft skills, which motherhood demands and nurtures. Do these qualities, once considered sterling, hold water even today? In the present-day world of ruthless competition and rat race it may seem out of focus to eulogise these virtues or treat these as essential ingredients for a successful career or achievement.

Propelled by self-interest, and fuelled by ambition, younger generation is on the quest for greater material comforts and may tend to reject the theory. But I had an answer for this when, at a function organised in Chennai recently to salute the mothers of celebrity sons/daughters, mothers received encomiums for their contribution! If women are empowered and allowed to have a say, a lot of things would be better. Not perfect but better. The world would be better off with a more representative government, a stronger economy and a healthier and more sustainable planet. Finally we would have stronger families.

This seems to be the message of the book Why Women Should Rule the World and many reviewers have found the book a must-read for both women and men!

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