From African tradition to global influence, women challenging male dominance in leadership
In many African cultures, the workplace, like the home, was long defined by strict roles. Men occupied the public square: the council, the battlefield, the market, the seat of power. Women, though central to survival, were expected to lead quietly from the background. Their labour sustained families and economies, yet their voices were rarely invited into decision-making spaces. Leadership, authority, and professional dominance were framed as masculine virtues, reinforced by tradition, culture, and misinterpreted faith.
But history has never been entirely obedient to culture.
Across Africa and the wider world, women have risen in moments of crisis and transition, stepping into professions once fiercely guarded by men. Their ascent has not been accidental. It has been forged through resistance, resilience, and remarkable excellence. Today, in global finance, international trade, defence, and diplomacy, women are not only present, they are shaping outcomes.
This reality stands in sharp contrast to the statistics. Globally, women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles, particularly in economics, politics, and security. In many African societies, professional ambition in women is still met with suspicion, while success attracts harsher judgment than it does for men. Yet, against these odds, a generation of women has emerged to redefine power.
Few stories capture this transformation as powerfully as that of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In 2021, when she assumed office as Director-General of the World Trade Organization, history shifted. She became the first woman and the first African to lead the institution since its creation. The world of international trade had long been dominated by Western male economists and diplomats, making her appointment both groundbreaking and disruptive.
Her leadership did not come without resistance. She inherited a fractured global trade system strained by geopolitical tensions and economic inequality. Yet, drawing from decades of experience at the World Bank and as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala brought reformist clarity and moral authority. Like Deborah in the Bible, described in Judges 4:4 as a prophetess and judge who led Israel at a time when women were rarely seen in authority, she governs through wisdom, firmness, and strategic insight rather than force.
Another Nigerian woman whose rise has echoed across continents is Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. From environmental activism in Nigeria to the highest levels of global diplomacy, her journey has unfolded within institutions historically dominated by men from powerful nations. She was instrumental in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals, a framework guiding global development efforts for millions of people.
Her path mirrors the story of Queen Esther, who rose within a male-controlled palace to influence the destiny of her people. Esther’s defining moment came with the words, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). In much the same way, Amina Mohammed occupies her position with a sense of purpose, using access to power to speak for the vulnerable, advocate for climate justice, and amplify Africa’s voice on the world stage.
Beyond Nigeria, women abroad have also shaken the foundations of male-dominated professions. Christine Lagarde of France stands as one of the most powerful figures in global finance. As the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund and later the European Central Bank, she entered spaces historically reserved for men trained and groomed for economic authority.
Global finance has often been defined by rigidity and exclusion, yet Lagarde introduced a leadership style that emphasized inclusion, stability, and long-term growth. Her presence in these institutions reflects the authority of Deborah, who sat in judgment under the palm tree, leading with discernment where wisdom, not gender, determined legitimacy.
Similarly, Ursula von der Leyen’s rise to become the first female President of the European Commission marked a decisive break from tradition. Before then, she had served as Germany’s Minister of Defence, one of the most male-dominated portfolios in modern governance. Defence and security have long equated leadership with physical strength and masculinity, often sidelining women. Von der Leyen’s tenure challenged this notion, proving that strategic intelligence and resilience are as vital as force.
Her journey resonates strongly with the courage of Esther, who risked her position to influence the king at a critical moment. Both stories underline a powerful truth: leadership is not defined by gender, but by the willingness to act when history demands it.
Women who break into male-dominated professions bring distinct advantages that continue to reshape leadership culture. Studies consistently show that women leaders prioritize collaboration, ethical governance, and people-centered policies. They often approach leadership with a long-term vision, balancing authority with empathy. Proverbs 31:26 captures this strength elegantly: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Yet, these achievements come at a cost. Women in such spaces face entrenched bias, unequal pay, and the pressure of having to prove competence repeatedly. Failure is less tolerated, success more scrutinized. Cultural expectations around marriage, motherhood, and domestic responsibility further complicate professional advancement, particularly in African societies where tradition remains influential.
To sustain and expand women’s impact in male-dominated professions, intentional reforms are essential. Institutions must enforce gender-responsive policies and dismantle structural barriers. Mentorship and sponsorship opportunities should be strengthened to prepare young women for leadership in politics, finance, science, and security. Faith institutions and educational systems must also play their part by correcting narratives that limit women’s roles and by affirming biblical examples of female leadership.
Scripture is clear on equality of purpose. Galatians 3:28 declares, “There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Leadership, therefore, is a matter of calling, capacity, and courage, not gender.
From African traditions that once confined women to the margins, to global institutions now shaped by their leadership, the story has come full circle. Like Deborah, Esther, and the women leading today, they rose not because the times were easy, but because the moment demanded strength.
And as they rise, the walls do not merely crack, they tremble.
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