A World Ruled by Women Would Definitely Be Better

If you ask children who is “in power” at home, mom or dad, they will probably say mom. When I was a child, my mom was in charge of everything, literally, and when I visited my gramma, it was the same. With the ability to multitask among other skills, women have always run the home, raised the children, and generally kept families together. However, as I became an adult, I realized that in fact the world is primarily ruled by men.

With no doubt, in the world we are currently going through the worst times since World War II. We are still suffering the consequences of the COVID pandemic, witnessing a war in the middle of Europe through daily broadcasts, and dealing with a global financial situation largely caused by those two extraordinary events. At times like this, we need effective leadership.

As a journalist, I love reading and watching news all the time. A few months ago, in the normally peaceful country of Thailand, 37 people were killed, 23 of them children, in a mass stabbing and shooting at a preschool. The killer was a former police officer. Mass shootings are, unfortunately, not unusual in countries like the United States, but this tragedy impacted me a lot. Immediately after hearing about it, a thought came to my mind: “Always, it is a man.” So much violence –?from this senseless murder of young children to Putin bombarding Ukraine and destroying the lives of millions –?is caused by men.

Doing a little research, I discovered that 90% of murders are committed by men. Although there are some women who commit horrible crimes, I have to say that I expected the percentage to be even higher. I would like to know why there is such big difference between the sexes. Is there a logical explanation why men are crueller and more violent than women?

Some experts explain it by saying that, since the beginning of time, men always had the role of protecting their families. Men went to war and women stayed at home. In many cultures, boys are raised to believe it is important for them to be dominant and competitive, while girls are raised to be gentler and more nurturing. Throughout history, we have lived in male-dominated societies. It is true that civilization has progressed a lot, but there is still a long way to go

I propose there is a more basic explanation as to why there is such a big difference between men and women in this regard. I believe it is because women have the good fortune of giving life, something that men will never be able to do. Women establish an amazing connection with their children, in a way that is difficult for men to understand. Of course, men contribute to the creation of life but that connection between mother and child is magical and unending. I know that this explanation does not have any empirical support but – just maybe – that is why it is very harder for women to take a life away. Women know how hard and wonderful it is to carry life and to give birth.

As a compulsive news reader, I detest seeing the typical photo of an international summit of leaders in which only two or three women are in the picture surrounded by many men. Those images tell you a lot about our male-dominated society. According to the United Nations, there are currently only 28 countries –?less than 15% of the 193 countries in the world – where women serve as heads of state and/or government. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. I think these numbers are very pathetic. I am, normally, an optimistic person by nature but in this matter, it is hard for me to feel positive when change is so slow.

Given the mess we are currently in with climate change, the pandemic, poverty, wars, and so on, I would like to see in my lifetime a world with more women leaders. It is more than a pursuit of gender equality; it is a hope for leadership quality. There is no guarantee that it will be better than the one we live in now, but I have the feeling it might, and it will be less violent for sure. I truly think we need a break from the male-dominated world we have had for over 2000 years, don’t you agree?