Women In Leadership: A Look At Female Heads Of State And Government Worldwide

Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, breaking historical chains of male dominance. From presidents to prime ministers, they are shaping policies, driving governance, and inspiring future generations. Their rise in politics not only enhances gender equality but also paves the way for a more inclusive and representative world. As more women step into these positions of power, their influence continues to reshape global leadership, proving that competence and vision transcend gender.

Female Presidents Around The World 

Women have been elected as Presidents in several countries, inspiring young women and elevating women's empowerment to a new level.

Sandra Mason (Barbados) – President since 2021, the first head of state after Barbados became a republic.

Salome Zourabichvili (Georgia) – Elected in 2018, the first woman to hold the presidency in Georgia.

Katerina Sakellaropoulou (Greece) – Took office in 2020.

Xiomara Castro (Honduras) – Became the first female President of Honduras in 2022.

Halla Tómasdóttir (Iceland) – Elected as President in 2024.

Droupadi Murmu (India) – In office since 2022, the first tribal woman to become President of India.

Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico) – Elected in 2024, the first female President of Mexico.

Maia Sandu (Moldova) – In office since 2020.

Nataša Pirc Musar (Slovenia) – Elected in 2022, the first female President of Slovenia.

Christine Kangaloo (Trinidad and Tobago) – Became President in 2023.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia) – Became the first female President of Namibia in 2025.

Female Prime Ministers In Power 

Women have been appointed as Prime Ministers, earning these positions through their courage and leadership. Some of them include:

Mia Mottley (Barbados) – Prime Minister since 2018.

Mette Frederiksen (Denmark) – Prime Minister since 2019.

Judith Suminwa (Democratic Republic of Congo) – First Female Prime Minister appointed in 2024.

Evika Siliņa (Latvia) – Prime Minister since 2023.

Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa (Samoa) – Prime Minister since 2021.

Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) – Prime Minister since 2021.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Thailand) – Prime Minister since 2024.

Robinah Nabbanja (Uganda) – Appointed As Prime Minister in 2021.

Breaking Barriers and Rising to Power

As of now, not many women hold leadership roles, and the percentage remains low among UN Member States. However, by breaking stereotypes and barriers, women are steadily rising to power. It won't be long before every deserving woman gets a chance to lead. Among 193 Member States, women make up 21% of Prime Ministers and 26% of Parliamentarians, while female leaders occupy 34% of local government positions. Countries including Bangladesh, Iceland, Italy, Aruba, Uganda and Samoa currently have female Prime Ministers. 

Women who defied the odds

Iceland's leader, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, also chairs the UN Council of Women World Leaders, a group that addresses global political challenges. 

Saara Kuugongelwa, Namibia's Prime Minister, was forced into exile at the age of 13 but later earned a doctorate in economics. Nepal's former President, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, is a woman and is actively advocating for gender equality, especially in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, which disproportionately affected women. 

Although the United States has yet to elect a female president, it has made progress toward gender equality. By 2022, women comprised a quarter of the U.S. Congress. Additionally, Kamala Harris made history as the nation's first female vice president and the first woman of African American and Asian-American heritage to hold the position.