The African Center for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE) has charged women to have a change of mindset regarding leadership and take advantage of the numerous opportunities available.
The empowerment group believes it is important for women not to cage themselves in one specific role to break the stereotype imposed on them by society as far as economic development and leadership are concerned.
The group argues “the overacting masculine roles undermine the female role, whiles overacting the female role hurts the ability to succeed as good leaders.”
In a research paper, the group contends that society in a way has framed women as people who are not fit to take up leadership positions because of their physiological makeup.
This is a claim, the group says “many women have grown to accept.”
Citing “The Role Congruence Concept to buttress its point, there are some prejudices toward female leaders.
“Female personalities are in line with some form of leadership whiles male personalities are also in line with some form of leadership. It is high time we changed our perception about leadership and our definition of leadership. ” the group added.
The group is, therefore, calling on women to remove the glass barrier, glass ceiling, and enable fair performance evaluation to move the economy forward.
ACEYE is a youth-led entrepreneurial and policy think tank promoting youth entrepreneurship by influencing policies on the back of research, professional analysis, nurturing tutoring, advocacy, and advisory services.
Read below the full research paper