“Hierarchical marginalization in politics,” was a phrase often used to describe the status of women in World Politics. In other words, the higher the political position, the fewer were the women visible. Barring a few exceptions of highly visible leaders, women were for long confined to “soft” sectors of family issues, health, education, nursing and social welfare.
For a very long time, women had to content with stereotypical views about them being figures of powerlessness. Despite the characteristics of a good man and a good candidate being the same, a woman had to make an easier said than done choice between coming across as a strong leader or a good woman. The comparison was rather odious – if a man came across as assertive, rational, direct and commanding, he enhanced his value as a man; whereas if a woman appeared all these things, she risked undercutting her value as a woman.
Not any more.
The rise to power of many effectual and accomplished women Heads of State, admirably reflects the significant change from existing power structures.
From Sühbaataryn Yanjmaa, who was appointed Acting President of Mongolia in 1953, to Sirimavo Bandarnaike who was elected PM of Sri Lanka in 1960, to Isabel Martinez de Peron who succeeded as the President of Argentina in 1974 on her husband President Juan Peron's death, to President of Iceland Vigdis Finnbogadottir – the first elected woman President in 1980 in a democratic election –women have trod a long and not easy path.
Currently, we have eighteen Women Heads of State, including three monarchs. Four Heads of State were elected in the last six months (Michelle Bachelet Jeria – Chile, Portia Simpson Miller – Jamaica, Han Myung-Sook – First Woman PM of South Korea and Emily de Jough-Elhage –Netherlands-Antilles.) All of them jointly move forward in their endeavor of nullifying the evaluation by gender discriminatory eyes. It is an out and out achievement that many women like these are successful in translating mere voting power into political power.
Women leaders of today are leveling out the play field in the political arena for both men and women. They have come a long way indeed, from rocking the cradle to rocking the world.
May their tribe increase.
