Sadly, gender equality has taken the back seat in America

BY CARMEN SABINE VIDJANGNI

An Acounting auditor

At last gone are the passions. By calling Donald Trump last night to concede defeat, Hillary Clinton demonstrated the triumph of democracy. Once again, the United States has shown the rest of the world that it’s a country full of contradictions. Coming out of nowhere—so to speak—and “destined” to lose, Donald Trump has had the upper hand.

So what to learn from Hillary Clinton’s forty years experience in politics? Nearly every poll predicted she’d win, but once in the voting booth, many voters apparently changed their minds. The voters dictated the rule by saying that gender equality can wait a little longer. Her impressive career as a top-notch lawyer, first lady, senator and secretary of state gave us hope she’d be the next occupant of the White House. Many women like me dreamed big, but the beautiful lesson of gender equality did not materialize. So, should women’s role be restricted to helping men rise? Without falling into the trap of sexism, I feel this development speaks eloquently to that.

Even though Africa has no reason to expect much from the American election, at least the election of the female candidate would have been a stimulus for women’s involvement in decision-making spheres. But there is a reason to hope. After Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, other amazons will take up the challenge.

____________________

A 2011 graduate of Université Polytechnique Internationale du Bénin, UPIB—one of the leading private universities in Benin, West Africa—where she earmed a professional Master’s Degree in Auditing, Management Control and Taxation Laws, Carmen Vidjangni is currently an accountant at Société Civile Immobilière LELITE in Cotonou, Benin’s administrative capital. A keen follower of world affairs (and a highly-sophisticated cook,) Vidjangni shows a special interest in matters related to gender equality.