Globally, girls perform academically at par with boys and often even out-perform them in school. But when it comes to leadership during their careers women fall behind. This phenomenon is manifested consistently in many parts of the world, and especially in Africa where he C-suites are often devoid of female leaders. In fact, a study by Accenture in 2010 suggested that women are more resilient at work. Why then are women absent from o\r under-represented in leadership positions at executive level? Why do women choose to serve more on voluntary boards, at church and in civic spheres, leaving business and government leadership to be dominated by men?

Interestingly, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that women disadvantage themselves and that the many of the limitations to leadership are as much internal as they are external. While some circumstances impede women from professional success (such a s a phenomenon dubbed PhD – Pull her Down), we have also learned that there are things that can be done with women – with girls- at a young age to help them prepare for the challenges and opportunities that leadership at the highest levels present.