MONROVIA – Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed her surprise at the fact that the United States has not yet had a female president. The first female president in Africa’s history, Sirleaf highlighted America’s influential global position and its role as a beacon of leadership in various international endeavors, yet have not given women the space and opportunity to manifest their leadership ability at the highest level.
By Lennart Dodoo
In a recent interview on MSNBC during the 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, Madam Sirleaf said, “Yes, I am surprised because you do lead the world, and we sometimes look to you for leadership in all aspects of international endeavor,” Sirleaf said.
Her remarks were in response to a question whether she was surprised that the United States had yet to elect to a female President.
Acknowledging the complexities of American society, Sirleaf noted, “That said, the problem in your country is so different, so diverse, sometimes it’s so difficult to focus on what you can be.” However, she emphasized that despite these challenges, the examples of women in leadership roles across the globe serve as an inspiration and a blueprint for aspiring female leaders.
According to Madam Sirleaf women leaders around the world, as few as they may be, have set an example for the United States to learn from. She mentioned that these examples are not limited to competence, courage and character, but also empathy, sensitivity to humanity, and the ability to foster support, consultation, and compromise and the ability to reduce tension and minimizing the chances of conflict have all been reflected in women leaders around the globe.
Throughout her tenure as president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became known for her groundbreaking leadership and commitment to peace and development in her country and the wider African continent. As the first elected female head of state in Africa, she paved the way for women’s empowerment and political participation across the region. Today, Liberia boasts of 20 percent of women in leadership positions.
Sirleaf’s remarks on MSNBC underscored the global significance of women’s representation in leadership roles and the continued importance of advancing gender equality in all spheres of society.
