The United States, often hailed as the beacon of democracy and a global leader in gender equality, has a peculiar distinction: in over 200 years of its history, it has yet to elect a woman as president. This fact stands in stark contrast to several countries around the world, including some that are considered less developed or even conservative, where women have successfully risen to the highest political office.
Countries like India, Israel, Sri Lanka, and even Pakistan, an Islamic nation with deep-rooted patriarchal traditions, have all seen women leaders at their helm. Indira Gandhi in India, Golda Meir in Israel, Sirimavo Bandaranaike in Sri Lanka, and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan are some of the prominent names that come to mind. These women not only broke through the glass ceiling in their respective nations but also left a significant impact on their country’s history and global politics.
Finland and New Zealand have each elected women to the highest leadership positions three times. Several other countries, including Poland, Ireland, Lithuania, France, Finland, and Canada, have also had women in leading roles. Angela Merkel, who became Chancellor of Germany in 2005, holds the distinction of being the longest-serving female leader in her country’s history. Similarly, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history as the President of Liberia in 2006, a position she held until 2018. In more recent years, Giorgia Meloni became the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, marking the first time a woman has held this role in her country.
Since 1960, over 55 countries around the world have been led by women at various points in time. In contrast, the United States, along with countries like China, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and others, has never had a female leader throughout these decades.
The question then arises: why has the United States, a country that prides itself on equality and progressiveness, lagged in electing a woman president?
One of the primary reasons could be the deeply entrenched societal norms and political culture in the United States. Despite the progress made in women’s rights, the political arena in the U.S. has historically been dominated by men, with power concentrated in the hands of a select few. The two-party system in the U.S. also plays a role; it tends to favor established figures who have built a career over decades, which traditionally has been more accessible to men.
The challenges encountered by women candidates were most effectively illustrated by Hillary Clinton in 2016, following her unsuccessful bid for the presidency. She made history by becoming the first woman to receive the endorsement of a major political party in the race for the President of the United States. Throughout her campaign, Clinton was often subjected to sexist remarks. After losing the election to Donald Trump, she reflected on these challenges in an interview with TIME magazine, stating, “…But we face what is a pernicious double standard that is aided and abetted by the idea of perfectionism.”
Additionally, the perception of leadership in the U.S. has often been associated with traditionally masculine traits such as strength, decisiveness, and aggression. This perception has made it more challenging for women to be seen as equally capable leaders, despite their qualifications. Women candidates often face double standards, where they are scrutinized not just for their policies but also for their appearance, demeanor, and even the tone of their voice.
In contrast, countries like India and Sri Lanka, despite being less developed in terms of economic indicators, have had a different approach to leadership. In many cases, the rise of women to power in these countries was facilitated by their familial connections to former male leaders. For example, Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, and Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the widow of Solomon Bandaranaike, a former prime minister of Sri Lanka. While these familial ties played a role in their political ascendancy, it is also true that these women demonstrated remarkable leadership and resilience in their own right.
Moreover, in some of these nations, the cultural context differs significantly. In India, for instance, the concept of “Devi” or the divine feminine is deeply ingrained in the cultural psyche. This reverence for the feminine, paradoxically coexisting with patriarchy, may have made the idea of a woman leader more acceptable to the masses.
Islamic countries like Pakistan, on the other hand, present an even more complex picture. Benazir Bhutto’s rise to power in a male-dominated society and her assassination are emblematic of the extreme challenges women leaders can face. Yet, her election also reflects a certain level of openness in the political process that allowed a woman to emerge as a leader, despite the odds.
The absence of a woman president in the United States is a complex issue rooted in historical, cultural, and political factors. While the U.S. continues to champion women’s rights globally, it faces its own unique challenges in breaking the highest glass ceiling. The election of a woman president in the U.S. would not only be a milestone in its own history but would also align the country with global trends where women have already proven their mettle as national leaders.
Editor-in-Chief
Raj Shah
