Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Says the World Needs More Women Leaders

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female head of state on the African continent, thinks women “absolutely” make better leaders.

“If we had more women in power, we would see faster dialogue and action,” she said during the inaugural TIME100 Africa Summit in Rwanda’s capital Kigali on Friday.

Read More: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Is Forging a New Path for the Next Generation of Women Leaders

For the first time, TIME has brought its iconic TIME100 franchise to Africa, bringing together regional and international leaders, influencers, and visionaries to a daytime summit to discuss the solutions needed to build a better future.

The summit kicked off with a lively performance by the Intayoberana Cultural Troupe, which dazzled audiences with traditional Rwandan song and dance.

Taking to the stage for a conversation on her legacy of leadership, Sirleaf recalled her experience having faced deep-seated misogyny, exile, and imprisonment after making it to the highest office in her country. Still, despite the difficulties, Sirleaf wants more women to run for office.

“The most important issue for leadership today is the fragmentation among the global powers of the world. That has affected multilateralism, global cooperation, reaction and response to where we now have wars,” she said.

“If we look around, not just in Africa, but also in Europe, you see that because women rule a little bit differently … they bring a bit of empathy in trying to mediate, rather than starting war.”

Sirleaf has been a dedicated advocate for peace, democracy, and women’s empowerment since her tenure as Liberia’s Finance Minister from 1979 to 1980. Later, as President from 2006 to 2018, she successfully navigated post-civil war challenges, attracting over $16 billion in foreign investment and fostering growth while also dealing with the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Sirleaf prioritized education, making school free and compulsory for elementary-age children, emphasizing the link between education and a robust democracy. She was recognised with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

The TIME100 Summit Africa is sponsored by Visit Rwanda, Kigali International Financial Centre, and RwandAir.

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