A Womanly Virtue; Female Representation As Global Security Strategy (Features‪)‬

Throughout the more than 30 years that I have been in politics, I have often encountered "glass ceilings," "glass walls," and "sticky floors." These concepts of gender inequalities result from social constructs built upon the numerous stereotypes present in family, education, culture, and media, which are reflected in political institutions and assemblies. In truth, however, my experience tells me that it is not glass ceilings or sticky floors which prevent women from reaching the top. In the words of my friend and prominent female leader Laura Liswood, "There is only a thick layer of men." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]