Disambiguating the paradoxical inhibitory cul-de-sacs on development agenda for women and youth in a neo-patriarchal society

18:00 -19:15 (Johannesburg timetable)

A plethora of studies in social science thoroughly depict the plight of women and youth in a fast-changing global village, with a narrowed cultural lens and associated ethical dilemmas, underpinned by epistemological paradox. Decision theory is impacted by epistemic paradoxes due to its propensity to blur rationality, often influenced by ambiguity in deeply held beliefs about women and youth all over the world. Whereas women and youth form a larger population of citizens in most countries of the world, the decisions of their current challenges across all societies such as academia and business are propagated from a neo-patriarchal lens which already forms a trajectory cul-de-sac for a developmental agenda. These are clearly evident in developing countries but are inherently manifest across all societies in the world.

Mlambo-Ngcuka’s research uses interpretive paradigm for disambiguating narratives that inhibit women’s development, debunking popular views on perspectives such as neo-patriarchy, epistemic paradox and socio-cultural norms in the context of education, leadership and economic participation. Furthermore, her conceptual frame of argument is theoretically pinned on bricoleuric, multiperspectival and intentional socio-economic and cultural approaches for solving complex yet evasive inhibitory “cul-de-sacs” in a post-modern social science reality.

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Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is former United Nations Under- Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. She was awarded a doctorate in Technology and Education from Warwick University. She has authored several scholarly and other opinion pieces. A Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Centre for Public Leadership. She became a Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Department of Trade and Industry, Minister of Minerals and Energy, and finally as Deputy President of South Africa in 2005 to 2008. Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka worked tirelessly on programmes and policies to reduce inequality. As the head of the UNwomen, she has been a global advocate for women and girls. She established initiatives such as the HeForShe for men and boys to address gender Equality. She also successfully mobilized an historic $40 billion USD for women and girls around the world.