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Politics SheLeads

From India To Ghana, Meet Women In Politics Who Made History In 2024

Many countries worldwide witnessed major political shifts in 2024 and women played pivotal roles in reshaping the global leadership landscape.

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Tanya Savkoor
New Update
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Priyanka Jarikholi of India, Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia

Many countries worldwide witnessed major political shifts in 2024 and women played pivotal roles in reshaping the global leadership landscape. In general elections across continents, female lawmakers from numerous countries broke barriers and changed narratives in male-dominated spaces.  From India to Mexico and Ghana to the United Kingdom, here are some of the women in politics who made history this year.

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Note: List is in the latest to oldest order

Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang: Ghana's First Female VP-Elect

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was voted Ghana's Vice President on December 9, making her the first woman elected to this position. Running alongside President-elect John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader has been widely celebrated as a groundbreaking achievement for gender representation in the African country's politics. 

She holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature. In 2008, she also made history as the first woman to lead a public university in Ghana, serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. She is revered for her focus on education, transformative reforms, and gender equity.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: Namibia's First Woman President

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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah became Namibia's first female President on December 3, 2024. She is a leader of the South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo). Her ties with the party started when she was just 14 years old as a member of their Youth League. She played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement, resisting Namibia's (then South West Africa) rule from South Africa.

Susie Wiles: USA's First Female White House Chief Of Staff

USA's President-elect announced his trusted aide Susie Wiles as the White House Chief Of Staff on November 7. The 67-year-old from Florida has been Trump's campaign manager and senior advisor, helping him "achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history." The political strategist has played a significant role in the leadership of several American leaders including Ronald Raegan and Ron DeSantis.

Sarah McBride: First Trans Person In US Congress

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In November, Sarah McBride, an American Democratic leader, made history as the first trans person to be elected to the US Congress. The politician was voted to the House of Representatives from Delaware. In an interview with CBS, McBride said that her priorities include "affordable child care, paid family and medical leave, housing, health care."

McBride earlier made history in 2016, as the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in the US. Then, in 2020, she became the first transgender state senator in the United States. McBride has been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights, trans person healthcare, etc.

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo: Mexico's First Female President

In October 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo took oath as Mexico's first female president. As she took the oath, the crowd cheered, "Presidenta, Presidenta!" signalling a prominent shift in the nation's gender equality. Sheinbaum previously served as Head of Government of Mexico City. The scientist-turned-politician holds a doctorate in energy engineering.

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Rachel Reeves: UK's First Female Finance Minister

In July 2024 Rachel Reeves became the United Kingdom's Vice Chancellor of the exchequer. Notably, the 800-year-old position had never seen a woman leader until Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Reeves' appointment. Reeves, a former Bank of England economist, entered politics at the young age of 16. "Economic growth was the Labour Party's mission, It is now a national mission. Let's get to work," Reeves expressed on X after her promotion.

India's Sanjna Jatav: Youngest Dalit MP

Sanjna Jatav, a 25-year-old lawmaker from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, made history as the youngest Dalit candidate in India to become a Member of Parliament in June 2024. The Congress leader holds a law degree and has shown clarity and boldness on party platforms with her engaging oratory skills.

Priyanka Jarikholi: India's Youngest Tribal MP

Priyanka Jarikholi, a 27-year-old leader from Chikkodi, Karnataka, became India's youngest Member of Parliament from a tribal community to win an unreserved seat. The Congress member comes from a revered political lineage as she is the daughter of a politician and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Satish Jarkiholi. She belongs to the Yamakanmardi village of Chikkodi.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke became New Zealand's youngest Maori lawmaker in November 2023. She made significant strides in politics right from her first appearance as MP in January this year, gaining the spotlight for representing her cultural roots and asserting her Indigenous community's place in leadership. Performing a traditional dance called Haka in the Parliament, she delivered a powerful statement about the importance of identity and traditions in modern governance.

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