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“I raise up my voice — not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard… we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” ~ Malala Yousafzai

I recall a thought-provoking cartoon depicting a solemn meeting of five men at a round table. In response to a donor’s query about women’s participation in a road construction project, one of them nonchalantly suggested that they could respond that “women would be the primary beneficiaries as they would walk on the road.” The irony of the discussion was not lost on me.  

Donors’ requirement for women’s participation in decision-making regarding any project design and implementation became a nominal fulfillment of the number of women in the meetings, and so forth.   When the whole struggle for freedom for equal access to resources, participation in decision-making, and rights before the law in matters that affect both genders is expressed to become a data gathering to report to donors, the true meaning of equality becomes lost.  

The world is far better because of women’s unique, nurturing, and caring nature. Their positive contributions towards improving the world, the immediate family, and the community are invaluable. Unfortunately, women’s history in different fields shows their non-participation in many professional, political, economic, and social developments. 

During March, which is internationally dedicated to women, I want to reflect on two areas of my interest: my career (psychology) and my humanitarian (Rotary) engagement.

I am a member of Rotary, which demands that we face squarely the fact that it was without women’s “official membership” from its inception in 1905 until 1987. I would say Rotary was deprived of women’s presence, and hence the benefits, for eighty-four years.

However, the progress in incorporating women into Rotary has been significant and inspiring.  Women’s Rotary participation is not nominal for the donor’s report. Women have joined Rotary as members and taken on leadership roles at clubs, districts, and the international levels. This has led to a substantially grown Rotary membership and a deepened commitment to service above self-endeavors in community projects.   I want to encourage women to continue holding their space in servant leadership positions to expand Rotary’s impact further.

Historically, women were not allowed to participate in the field of psychology. Despite facing considerable barriers, women began making significant contributions to psychology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For example, I read that Mary Whiton Calkins completed all the requirements for a Ph.D. at Harvard in the 1890s but was denied the degree solely because she was a woman. Nevertheless, she became the first female president of the American Psychological Association and made groundbreaking contributions to self-psychology.

History also witnessed that in the early 1900s, women represented 12% of psychologists in the United States, though they often faced discrimination and limited opportunities. Over time, their participation grew, especially with the rise of feminist movements in the 1960s and 1970s, which challenged traditional gender roles and highlighted women’s contributions to psychology.

Nowadays, we witness a significant improvement in the inclusion of women, participation in decision-making, sharing of power, access to and opportunities for education, work, and other resources, and treatment before the law.

Some people label and discredit the women’s equality movement as “feminist” to derogatorily discourage people when we talk about rectifying what historically disadvantaged women from fully realizing their potential and limiting them to specific social roles. 

I am a strong proponent that women must take their deserved positions in this space without threatening men’s positions.  This world has space for all of us to be who we are created to be and realize our potential without dominating and subjugating women. 

Considering women’s issues in mental and physical health, creating forums for encouragement to realize our potential, engaging in career and community development, participating in the economic and political arena, and pushing towards reaching the ceiling are what all men and women need to thrive towards, not just to nominally report to the international community but to genuinely creating safe space for humanity to live our full potential. 

The perception of women’s developments and transformations as threats to men stems from cultural and societal factors rather than inherent truths. Therefore, these factors should be addressed through education, awareness-raising, and adjusting to new realities.  

Understandably, addressing power imbalance and fear of change of sharing previously dominated spaces can create insecurities; however, because these changes are not threatening to the world, some adjustments in family management and workforce leadership roles are needed.  In fact, working towards these changes will create a balanced and fulfilling life for humanity. As we celebrate the women’s movement’s huge historical milestones, let us go beyond collecting data on numbers and be mindful of creating a safe and transformative space for humanity to thrive, not through competition but through collaboration!

Happy Women’s Month!

Written by: Seble Hailu (Ph.D.)

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