As Women’s Month rolls around and we commemorate Women’s Day on 9 August, I reflect on the role that women play in QASA. As an organisation, we pride ourselves on diversity. Of course, the organisation’s mandate is to improve the lives of quadriplegics and paraplegics, but QASA also employs people with disabilities and boasts with a management board consisting solely of quadriplegics and paraplegics. In addition, team and board members are diverse in race, language and culture.
QASA is especially proud of its only female board member. Yet, this is the area in which QASA lacks the most. I believe QASA can do much more to include women in the organisation – especially at an executive level, and especially women with spinal cord injuries.
In part, the lack of adequate representation of/by women, especially those with spinal cord injuries, in the organisation is due to the uncommon prevalence of spinal cord injuries among women. There is research that indicates that men are more likely to sustain a spinal cord injury. Thus, the pool of women available to serve on the QASA board is quite small – an excuse used often by QASA.
And it is just that – an excuse. There are more than enough women with spinal cord injuries who are able to serve on the board. Our Work Readiness Programme, for example, has shown that there are many women with spinal cord injuries who are aspirational and capable. It is only a matter of finding someone willing to serve.
Which brings us to the true challenge facing QASA: How do we make the organisation and position of board member more attractive to women with spinal cord injuries?
Perhaps, QASA would benefit from investing more in our female candidates so that they have the skills and experience to best serve the board and contribute to the organisation. Maybe, the answer lies in better networking and building relationships with quadriplegic and paraplegic women.
The answer could lie in addressing more women’s rights issues – concerns that our women with spinal cord injuries are passionate about. If we support our members by fighting for women’s equality while continuing our advocacy on disability rights, we could potentially see our members become more passionate about QASA, more interested in its activities and actively seeking out opportunities to have a say in its management.
Afterall, women’s rights, just like disability rights, are truly just human rights that affect the lives of everyone on the planet. Fighting for these rights are essential to building a better, stronger society.
And, I believe, our female counterparts have especially a lot to offer our organisations. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world. It has made many companies re-evaluate their business model with a call to more compassionate business. Are the mothers, daughters, sisters and wives of our nation – who so readily care for their families – not a vital asset to business in ensuring a more compassionate, caring business model that will build our communities stronger?
QASA undoubtedly still has a long way to go. But, the organisation is passionate and dedicated to incorporating more women so that we can build a stronger team and better future for our members.
To all the wonderful, strong, fierce women, QASA wishes you a happy Women’s Day and month. Thank you for uplifting and building your communities stronger.
Raven Benny