14 Developing Countries Who Had Female Leaders Before the U.S. | The Odyssey Online
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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.

Sophia Cunningham
Nov 07, 2016
Mount Holyoke College
320
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

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