The woman in the White House will redefine American policy

An article in Foreign Affairs argues that if Kamala Harris becomes the White House owner, her gender will have more meaning than just symbolism.

US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is likely to become the female owner of the White House, at a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, October 2024. (Source: Reuters)

It's not just the significance of having a woman as the first female leader in the United States, and the leader of one of the most powerful countries in the world , but also the profound impact it will have on society and gender norms.

A Kamala Harris victory would not only help break down stereotypes about women's leadership abilities, but also open up hope and confidence for millions of women and girls around the world.

First, analyzing the significance of Harris' victory in the global context, Foreign Affairs, on October 31, cited the United Nations Gender Bias Index 2023 report, saying that up to 49% of people worldwide still believe that men are better leaders than women. If Harris becomes president, she will be living proof that women can take on leadership roles, including decision-making on important issues such as war and peace .

One of the first challenges Harris will face is male leaders who think they can overpower a female leader. During the campaign, former President Trump tried to discredit her by claiming that world leaders like President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping would easily outmaneuver her.

As Vice President, Harris has made numerous public statements and commitments to support Ukraine and other European countries in the face of Russia’s extraordinary military campaign. As President, she could take even stronger measures to support Ukraine, while also allowing Europe to play a greater role in countering Russia. This would strengthen the relationship between the United States and its European allies and send a clear message to countries about America’s commitment to democratic values ​​and respect for sovereignty.

As president, Harris will continue to address the challenge of competition with China, a major challenge for U.S. foreign policy. She will have the opportunity to balance the use of hard power with strengthening ties with allies and partners in the region. As vice president, she has traveled extensively to Asia, Africa, and Central America, where she has promoted initiatives to increase economic cooperation and support development. She could expand these initiatives to create alternatives to China’s economic and technological influence.

Next is the significance of the benefits for women globally. A female White House administration, if it exists, would focus not only on big security and international relations issues, but also on “human security” issues like climate change, conflict and poverty. She could continue to build and expand initiatives to improve the living conditions and empower women and girls. Issues like reproductive health, economic equality and gender-based violence have long been considered women’s issues, but under Harris, they would become central to policy.

According to the World Bank’s “Women, Business and the Law” 2024 report, equal opportunities for women could increase global GDP by more than 20% and double global economic growth over the next decade. As Vice President, Ms. Harris has been active in initiatives supporting women in many regions, from Africa to Asia to Central America, to promote employment and remove economic barriers.

Harris has extensive experience in addressing gender-based violence from her time as a prosecutor, and she has applied that knowledge to her role as vice president, leading initiatives to reduce violence against women. Violence against women and girls is rising globally, and the cost of the problem is estimated at 2% of global GDP. Violence against women is also widespread online, making the problem even worse. Harris has led efforts to create safety rules for AI, pushing major companies to commit to preventing online abuse. As president, she could support legislation to protect women and girls online, following models from countries like Australia and Europe.

In short, Vice President Kamala Harris could be a game changer at this historic moment. She has repeatedly emphasized that there is more to unite Americans than divides them. As president, Harris will have the opportunity to prove that women can lead decisively, without having to be the “Iron Lady.”

Her success will not only affirm women's leadership capacity, but also be a big step forward in eliminating gender stereotypes, bringing America closer to an equal and fair society.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-o-nha-trang-se-dinh-nghia-lai-chinh-sach-cua-xu-co-hoa-292398.html