Choices Quote by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
“The fact that women begin to avoid running for public office because of the harassment and sometimes even violence that they face as a hazard, it means that the world is being robbed of extraordinary leadership that women can bring to bear. And of course, if women as professionals begin to look at making career choices because they're looking at whether Am I going to be safe or not? You can imagine the missed opportunities that are out there for women.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN Women Forum, 2021
Harassment deters women from politics, depriving society of their leadership potential.
In simple terms: Women face barriers in politics.
Key Takeaway
Create safe, inclusive political spaces.
Themes
gender equality
leadership
harassment
Mood
determined
urgent
Type
advocacy
policy
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- policy making
- community organizing
Key Concepts
political participation
safety
empowerment
Questions to Reflect On
- What structures protect women leaders?
- How can allies support safe participation?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes alone may not stop violence.
