UN's Risnawati Utami on Global Female Leaders amid the Pandemic

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the first Indonesian woman appointed as the United Nations Commissioner of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Risnawati Utami believes there are many female leaders in the global stage adept in handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

“Because women have a natural nurturing trait and are always a problem-solver as similar to the role of a mother,” said Risnawati Utami in a Zoom meeting discussion entitled the “Inclusive Kartini” initiated by the Konekin Dan Rumah Millenials on Sunday, April 19. 

Risnawati proceeded to mention the female leaders she argues have implemented a pretty successful strategy to overcome the coronavirus pandemic in their respective countries such as; Germany’s Chancellor Angela Markell and Finland’s Primeminister Sanna Marin. 

She argues that male and female gender have different types of leadership traits, with women having less to deal with political competition. 

“I’m not trying to be gender-biased, the type of leadership that puts forth patriarchic leadership will often be stuck in a political competition that veers the leader away from decisions yearned by its people,” she said.

A person with a disability and built from that perspective, Risnawati Utami believes that a person’s gender and physical condition are no longer the main deciding factor in electing a leader, but the person’s capability in becoming one. 

CHETA NILAWATY P.