She possesses the rare quality of altruism in an otherwise cutthroat world of politics. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, speaks to Nittal Chandarana about gender-based discrimination
She is the under-secretary- general of the United Nations, and has previously held the post of deputy president of South Africa. It is interesting to note that a woman loaded with such distinguished designations began her journey in the humble profession of a teacher. Even today, among the causes she champions, Education for All remains on top of the list. Dressed in hues suited to endorse the UN Women-led Orange the World initiative, Mlambo-Ngcuka spoke of violence against women at the WeUNiTE: Investing in Planet 50-50 conference in the city last month. In conversation at the event held to celebrate UN Women’s partnership with the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), she shared her views on stereotyping and what holds women back from achieving their potential.
DID YOU FACE ANY DISCRIMINATION WHILE YOU WERE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA?
Not really. I was too powerful!
WHY ARE THERE SUCH FEW FEMALE POLITICIANS THE WORLD OVER?
I think the stereotypes are still very strong in all societies. They are prominent among both sexes, but even women don’t vote for women. We need to work very hard to change those norms so that there’s greater belief in a female leader. The more women take up leadership positions, the more role models we are going to have. And many more are going to be willing to make themselves available for leadership.
Bu hikaye Verve dergisinin January 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Verve dergisinin January 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Making Amends
This generation’s penchant for thoughtless consumption gets Madhu Jain roiled up, and she wonders if nature is getting its own back for our missteps…
Diamonds With Provenance
In keeping with the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility, Anisa Kamadoli Costa, chief sustainability officer at Tiffany & Co. and chairman and president at The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, enlightens Shirin Mehta on the efforts that make the jewellery giant an industry leader in transparency
SARTORIAL ECONOMICS
Sisters Tashi and Tara Mitra demonstrate to Akanksha Pandey how deviating from the mainstream can bend the way we think, live and dress
NOTES TO SELF
An anthropomorphized tiger’s perspective, a viscerally worded futuristic interpretation of loss, a critique of performative activism, a meta reflection on the earth’s crises. Told through different lenses, Janaki Lenin, Indrapramit Das, Keshava Guha and Roshan Ali’s stories — written exclusively for Verve — attempt to make sense of the fraught reality that we exist in today
The Eternal Optimist
As Generation X and xennials grapple with fully transitioning to conscious living, young millennials and Generation Z are leading the charge to reverse human-caused environmental damage. Sahar Mansoor, founder and CEO of the Bengaluru-based zero-waste social enterprise Bare Necessities, has a simple overarching philosophy: consume less and stay positive. Verve gets deeper into the mindset of the action-oriented earth advocate
Redemption SONGS
Indian music festivals have been demonstrating a refreshing sense of responsibility in terms of their ecological impact. Interacting with stakeholders who strive to make these large-scale events greener, Akhil Sood investigates the reasons behind the improved attitudes of audiences and the increase in corporate support.
earth hour
Crafted using nature’s elements, these dials draw inspiration from the many heterogeneous materials and hues around us.Verve turns its lens onto a mesmerising few
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Children are holding adults accountable for both the grim future they are facing and the toll this is taking on their mental health. Madhumita Bhattacharyya initiates conversations with families of young climate activists and observes the extent to which parenting has changed in the face of catastrophe
NATURAL JUSTICE
Most of us are only just waking up to the urgency of climatic action. When the stakes are so high, what can individual action solve? Mridula Mary Paul, an environmental policy expert, is proof of the tenacity needed to effect systemic change. It’s not glamorous, and the rewards are few and far between, but that doesn’t stop her from aiming big, finds Anandita Bhalerao
Along For The Ride
Navigating Indian streets as a woman is hard enough. But what is it like while riding a bicycle? Bengaluru-based Shreya Dasgupta, a regular cyclist, speaks to five urban women about the pros and cons of this increasingly popular means of transport.
