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