"My advice to all women is to turn their minds to goal- fulfilment and stop using “being a woman” as an excuse for not achieving those goals. "

 Princess Maria Amor speaking at the SACH BHARAT event

Princess Maria Amor Torres, D.D. of the Philippines, is the Founder / President of We Care For Humanity (WCH) and Creator of the G.O.D. Awards. WCH is an internationally recognized organization dealing with global issues and concerns. Abhijit Ganguly spoke to her about the status of women in the corporate world.

 Princess Maria Amor at the SACH BHARAT event

Why are there so few women in corporate leadership?

In my opinion, there are many factors that affect the status and number of women in corporate leadership. There are cultures, which don’t believe in women being in the corporate world. Women are taught to stay at home, to attend to their children, and serve domestic needs. A large number of women across the world remain less educated than men. Corporate companies tend to give higher positions to those who have better educational qualifications and therefore, women lag behind.

Women are perceived as being more emotional and family-oriented. Is the stereotyping of women as not being shrewd or aggressive enough a detriment to their career growth?

I believe that it is both cultural stereotyping and scientific as well. Women are perceived as being more emotional while men express emotion only when the situation warrants it. However, scientists also point out that women are more emotionally intelligent than men. A global study of 55 cultures found that women tend to be more emotional, agreeable, and conscientious than men. These qualities also affect their career growth as I said earlier.

Princess Maria Amor with Her Excellency
 Odeta Nishani, First Lady of Albania.

Many reports have revealed women do not feel they have the opportunity in their current role to sufficiently promote themselves and communicate their ambitions. Does this surprise you?

No, it doesn’t surprise me. But this is beyond gender inequality or discrimination. This is an issue of the mindset. There are actually more success stories coming from women than men around the world.

The former President of Croatia and Yugoslavia,

 H.E. Stjepan Mesic with Princess Dato'Sri 

The Traveling Princess Maria Amor.

Have you encountered any gender-specific challenges or obstacles in your career?

So far in my career as a humanitarian, I have not encountered any major gender challenges. But I always feel there are some doubts in people's mind because I am a woman.

Do you have any advice for female professionals who are in or are looking to work in a management or leadership role?

My advice to all women is to turn their minds to goal- fulfillment and stop using “being a woman” as an excuse for not achieving those goals. Ambition is variable, success is all in the mindset and happiness is universal.