The silent struggle: Discrimination against women in leadership and opportunity
By Zara Wakil Machina
In our society, women continue to face deep-seated discrimination, particularly when it comes to holding positions of influence and leadership. Despite having the same – and in many cases, greater – capacity, intelligence, and skills as their male counterparts, women are often denied the opportunity to prove themselves. The barriers are not just about qualifications, but about outdated perceptions of gender roles that continue to hold back half of the population from reaching their full potential.
For many women, the journey to leadership is not a matter of lacking ambition or competence, but of having to navigate an environment where their capabilities are underestimated from the start. Decisions on who gets a role or position are frequently influenced by gender biases rather than merit. This means that even highly capable women are overlooked in favour of men, not because they cannot do the job, but because society has been conditioned to believe that leadership belongs to men.
Even when women break through these barriers and are entrusted with leadership positions, the struggle does not end. They often face scrutiny and challenges that their male peers do not encounter. Their decisions are questioned more harshly, their authority is undermined, and their leadership style is picked apart in ways that discourage progress. Many have experienced situations where their positions were taken away without fair reason, often replaced by a man under the guise of “stronger leadership” or “more experience,” despite a woman’s proven track record.
The problem is not just at the top – it starts at the foundation. Young women are often discouraged from aspiring to certain roles, told directly or indirectly that such positions are “not for them.” This societal conditioning creates a cycle where fewer women are encouraged or prepared to take on leadership roles, reinforcing the stereotype that men are naturally better leaders. Yet history and countless modern examples have shown that women can lead with vision, integrity, and results that benefit entire communities.
The dominance of men in decision-making spaces has far-reaching consequences. It means that policies and decisions are often shaped without the full spectrum of perspectives needed for balanced progress. It also discourages the next generation of young girls who might have dreamt of being leaders, inventors, or decision-makers, but now see that those spaces are largely closed to them.
True equality means creating an environment where women’s abilities are recognised without bias, where opportunities are awarded based on merit, and where leadership is shared equally between genders. Until this is achieved, we will continue to waste the talent, innovation, and leadership that women can bring to every sector of society. The progress of our nation depends not on excluding half its population from positions of influence, but on ensuring that every capable voice – regardless of gender – has a seat at the table.
