Why We Need More Global Leading Ladies

A recent blog post by Jamie McIntyre got me thinking… “If the world had 75% females and only 25% men civilisation would continue unabated and be an even safer place. However if the ratio was reversed to a point of 75% men and only 25% females, civilisation as we know it would be likely to come crashing down and become a very dangerous place, especially for women.”

Close to home here in Australia, we seem to have the gender balance reasonably even with the male to female ratio at roughly 99 males for every 100 females, meaning a slightly higher ratio of us ladies. While it puts all you single ladies in a slightly more challenging dating position, research shows that this results in a decrease in crime rates and violence which is good for us all.

However, take the lense wider and consider what is happening around the world with many of our trade partners such as China and India. Statistics show that both these countries that dwarf Australia’s in population size and growth are both in serious danger of a gender imbalance. In India, a ratio exists of just 914 girls for every 1000 boys for 0-6 year olds, and the situation is only worsening.

With a cultural preference for boy bubs along with China’s one-child policy since 1980, a growing gender imbalance with a shortage of women is resulting. Which means that women’s voices and women’s issues and policies are also at risk of being totally drowned out.

Even more concerning was a statistic Jamie shared from article in the British Medical Journal Lancet that between 1980 and 2010 up to 12million female foetuses have been aborted in India alone largely due to families aborting pregnancy based purely on gender of the unborn child.

History reveals that there have been dire consequences when a shortage of women compared to men exists, leading to increased violence against women as competition increases. Crime rates, in particular homicide rates, historically rise in areas where the gender balance is skewed towards more males. Read any report on partner abuse, domestic violence and family assault and you will see the harsh consequences and ripple effect such violence and crime can have on not only women and individuals but their children, families and the community.

After recently celebrating how far we have come during International Women’s Day celebrations it is important not to rest on our laurels. How can you encourage a culture of equality in your business or community? What are you doing to support the voices of the women of the world all year round? Here at Leading Ladies International we provide micro loans to support women around the globe get their business off the ground through the wonderful vehicle of Kiva. We’d love to hear about what you are doing.

Spread the word, if these issues aren’t addressed it can lead to the reversal of improved women’s rights in developing countries and increase security risks. The balance of male to female ratios in society is critical to our peaceful progress and ensuring the civilisation we create for the future is one that all children can grow up in safely and happily.