Towards Empowered Women's Participation in Africa's Political Leadership

African women are incredibly strong and resilient in the face of numerous challenges. Despite the difficulties they have had to overcome, they have found ways to recover and thrive. Coaching programs and masterminds have become useful tools to help them heal and develop resilience.

While trauma has unfortunately become common among African women due to a legacy of colonialism, poverty, and gender-based violence, there is hope. By creating trauma-informed environments that offer support systems like counseling and mentorship, we can help African women recognize and process their trauma. Through these programs, African women can acquire the skills they need to succeed in business and in life.

Despite the emotional and psychological difficulties that trauma can bring, African women are finding ways to overcome them. Coaching programs and mastermind groups offer a safe and encouraging space for African women to heal and grow. Participants in these programs can connect with peers who understand their experiences and learn new techniques for controlling their feelings, thoughts, and actions.

We can all be inspired by the resilience and determination of African women. With the right support and resources, they are capable of achieving their goals and making a positive impact in their communities. Through coaching programs and masterminds, African women can take charge of their own lives and create a brighter future for themselves and those around them.

One major way African women, particularly entrepreneurs, and nonprofit executives, can help create a better future for our continent is by getting into Political leadership.

The need for more African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives to get involved in political leadership cannot be overstated. For too long, women in Africa have been underrepresented in political leadership positions, with men dominating the political landscape. This lack of diversity in leadership has hindered progress in many areas, including economic development, social welfare, and women's rights.

By increasing the number of African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives in political leadership, we can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table. Women who have experience running successful businesses or leading nonprofit organizations have already demonstrated their ability to make tough decisions and manage resources effectively. These skills are invaluable in the political arena, where leaders must make decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.

Additionally, having more women in political leadership positions can help to address gender inequality and empower women across the continent. African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives have already demonstrated their commitment to advancing women's rights and promoting gender equality. By bringing this experience and perspective to political leadership positions, they can help to push for policies and initiatives that benefit women and girls across the continent.

Furthermore, having more diverse leadership can help to promote economic growth and development. African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives are already driving innovation and creating jobs in their respective fields. By leveraging their skills and experience in political leadership positions, they can help to create policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation, thereby contributing to the continent’s growth and development.

But for many (Successful) African women entrepreneurs and changemakers, it is not easy to make that decision to venture into political leadership.?In my experience working with African professionals, most especially women who will do extraordinarily well in political leadership, there are five major impediments that keep powerful African women from venturing into politics.

1. Limited access to resources and networks: African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives often lack access to the necessary resources and networks for venturing into political leadership. This can include financial resources, access to political networks, and access to mentors and advisors.
2. Lack of recognition: African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives are often overlooked or not taken as seriously as their male counterparts when it comes to leadership positions in politics. This can lead to difficulties in gaining recognition and support for their political initiatives.
3. Cultural barriers: There are often cultural barriers that prevent women from entering into leadership positions in politics. This can include traditional gender roles, stereotypes, and expectations that women should be focused on family and domestic responsibilities rather than political leadership.
4. Fear of failure: Many African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives may be hesitant to venture into political leadership due to fear of failure or criticism. It can be intimidating to take on a new role, especially one that is traditionally male-dominated.
5. Lack of experience: African women entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives may lack the experience and knowledge necessary for political leadership. This can be a major barrier to entry, as there is often a steep learning curve when it comes to understanding the complexities.
6. Past Trauma: In many ways, women's confidence can be impacted by past trauma. It may engender feelings of guilt and unworthiness, which can result in self-doubt and low self-esteem. Trauma can lead to feelings of insecurity, fear, and helplessness, which can make it difficult for women to feel comfortable and confident in taking on a leadership role in politics. Women may also struggle with feelings of low self-esteem or lack of confidence, which can make it hard to take the initiative to pursue political leadership. Additionally, past trauma can lead to distrust in the political system, making it difficult for women to feel safe and confident in taking on a leadership role in politics.

For Multinational corporations, international development organizations, philanthropists, and governments looking to invest in women's empowerment, specific programs to encourage an increase in women's political participation are vital.

UNWOMEN and USAID have curricula and programs along these lines; however, more can and must be done – particularly in the area of increasing their confidence.

For those currently involved in women empowerment initiatives, especially women's political participation, here’s an outline for a 12-week mastermind program to help elevate the confidence of women entrepreneurs and changemakers who want to venture into political leadership. Feel free to use it as is, build upon it, or adjust it as you feel necessary.

Week 1: Introduction and Goal Setting

• Introduce the program and the importance of confidence in political leadership.
• Discuss the goals of each participant and how they can measure success throughout the program.
• Have each participant set achievable and measurable goals for themselves.

Week 2: Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses

• Help participants identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Explore ways to leverage strengths and improve weaknesses
• Encourage participants to celebrate their strengths and focus on areas of improvement

Week 3: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• Discuss imposter syndrome and how it affects women in leadership roles
• Provide tools and strategies to overcome imposter syndrome
• Encourage participants to share their experiences and support one another

Week 4: Acknowledge and process trauma

• Start by creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences with trauma and discuss its impact on their lives.
• Leverage activities such as guided meditations, journaling, and/or group discussions.
• Introduce grounding and mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and grounding exercises to help participants feel more present and connected to their bodies.

Week 5: Develop self-compassion and resilience:

• Introduce activities and exercises to help participants develop a sense of self-compassion and resilience, such as self-care practices and positive affirmations.
• Encourage participants to develop an action plan to move forward with their political leadership aspirations.
• Share resources and supports available to participants to help formulate new identities not defined by past experience.

Week 6: Developing a Personal Brand

• ?Help participants develop their personal brand.
• Explore ways to communicate their brand through messaging, visuals, and networking.
• Encourage participants to align their personal brand with their values and goals.

Week 7: Building Confidence in Communication

• Discuss effective communication skills for political leadership
• Provide strategies for public speaking, presenting, and networking
• ?Encourage participants to practice and receive feedback on their communication skills

Week 8: Leadership Styles and Approaches

• ?Introduce different leadership styles and approaches
• ?Help participants identify their preferred style and how to adapt to different situations and audiences
• Encourage participants to reflect on their own leadership experiences and learn from others

Week 9: Building a Support System

• Discuss the importance of having a support system
• Encourage participants to build a network of mentors, sponsors, and peers
• ?Provide tools and strategies for networking and building relationships

Week 10: Overcoming Barriers and Challenges

• Explore the barriers and challenges that women face in political leadership.
• Provide tools and strategies for overcoming these barriers and challenges
• Encourage participants to share their experiences and support one another

Week 11: Understanding the Political Landscape

• Provide an overview of the political landscape, including political parties, elections, and policy-making.
• Help participants understand the political process and how they can make an impact.
• Encourage participants to reflect on their values and how they align with political issues.

Week 12: Advocacy and Activism

• Discuss advocacy and activism as tools for political change
• Provide strategies for advocating for policy change and engaging with elected officials
• Encourage participants to identify issues they care about and take action

Week 13: Campaign Planning and Strategy

• Introduce campaign planning and strategy
• Help participants develop a campaign plan and messaging
• Provide tools and strategies for fundraising, organizing volunteers, and getting out the vote.

Week 14: Fundraising Strategies

• Introduce strategies for fundraising effectively
• Discuss the importance of budgeting and understanding donor motivation
• Developing a fundraising strategy
• Leveraging Entrepreneurship

Week 15: Media Engagement Strategies

• The power of positive media engagement
• Discuss the importance of social media for political leadership
• Introduce strategies for engaging with followers and promoting yourself effectively

Week 16: Final Presentations and Next Steps

• Have participants present their goals and progress throughout the program
• ?Discuss the next steps for each participant, including running for office or getting involved in political advocacy
• Celebrate the accomplishments of the group and encourage continued support and networking

A hybrid approach of training and coaching is the best approach for this mastermind program as it allows participants to learn the necessary skills to embark on political leadership and apply them in a real-world setting.

Beyond that, it creates the space for participants to become more self-aware,?thus finding the powers that lie dormant in them.

By combining training with coaching, participants will gain a better understanding of the skills and concepts being taught, as well as the opportunity to practice and apply them to their own unique situations and challenges.

This approach will allow participants to gain confidence in their abilities and become more prepared for political leadership. Additionally, the program's coaching portion will allow participants to receive personalized feedback and advice from the coach, enabling them to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the material and make more informed decisions.

Such an intervention MUST be facilitated by someone trained and experienced in using the tools, approaches, and techniques suggested.

If you’d like to adopt this mastermind in an existing program you have, feel free to reach out to me. As a Master Coach and Trainer Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Stakeholder Centered Coaching, and Global Team Coaching, I’ll gladly help you create what you need.

Got questions, thoughts or concerns, please share them in the comments, or imbox me directly.