14 Developing Countries Who Had Female Leaders Before the U.S. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

14 Developing Countries Who Had Female Leaders Before the U.S.

It's time for the United States to join the rest of the world in electing a female president.

306
14 Developing Countries Who Had Female Leaders Before the U.S.
Women in International Politics

With the upcoming presidential election, there has been much talk about the prospect of electing the first female U.S. president. As the first female major party nominee, Hillary Clinton is the only woman in U.S. history to come this close to the presidency. (The first female major party candidate was Shirley Chisholm in 1972, and the first woman to announce her own candidacy for president was Victoria Woodhull in 1872.)

It's no secret that the United States is not as progressive as other major countries on this front. However, many people are not aware of just how behind we are. In fact, there are many so-called "third world" or developing countries that have or have had female leaders.

The United Nations has identified 48 nations as the world's least developed countries. These classifications are based on three criteria: gross national income per capita, the human asset index, and the economic vulnerability index. Despite these shortcomings in economic and social progress, fully 14 of these 48 countries (more than one quarter!) have or have had women leaders.


1. Angola

First female leader: Queen Nzinga

Assumed power: 1626

2. Bangladesh

First female leader: Prime Minister Khaleda Zia

Assumed power: 1991

3. Burundi

First female leader: Prime Minister Sylvie Kinigi

Assumed power: 1993

4. Cambodia

First female leader: Queen Ang Mey

Assumed power: 1835

5. Central African Republic

First female leader: Prime Minister Elisabeth Domitien

Assumed power: 1975

6. Ethiopia

First modern* female leader: Empress Zewditu

Assumed power: 1916

* There is evidence of an Empress Candace in the fourth century B.C.E.

7. Haiti

First female leader: Provisional President Ertha Pascal-Trouillot

Assumed power: 1990

8. Lesotho

First female leader: Paramount Chief 'Mantsebo

Assumed power: 1941

9. Liberia

First female leader: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Assumed power: 2006

10. Madagascar

First female leader: Queen Ranavalona I

Assumed power: 1828

11. Malawi

First female leader: President Joyce Banda

Assumed power: 2012

12. Rwanda

First female leader: Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana

Assumed power: 1993

13. Sao Tome and Principe

First female leader: Prime Minister Maria Das Neves

Assumed power: 2002

14. Senegal

First female leader: Prime Minister Mame Madior Boye

Assumed power: 2001

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

182497
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9270
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453914
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24148
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments