Women Presidents From Around the World

Janet Jagan, Guyana (19.12.1997-11.08.99)

Her country’s first white and first female President and was executive President but worked together with the Prime Minister. Janet was chosen as her party’s candidate in the following Presidential elections. She was in office until July 1999 when she suffered a mild heart attack and chose to resign from her post 3 years ahead of time.

President of the Confederation Ruth Dreifuss, Switzerland (01.01.1999-31.12.1999)

A former trade union-leader, she was Councillor of Interior in 1992-2002 and Vice-President 1998-99. (b. 1939-).

Executive President Mireya Moscoso Rodrígez, Panama (01.09.1999-01.09.2004)

As Executive President she is also head of the Cabinet, and she is the first female President to have officially appointed a First Lady – her sister, Ruby Moscoso de Young. She was constitutionally barred from running for re-election. Mireya was first married to President Arnulfo Arias Madrid (1901-88) who was President of Panama 1940-41, 1949-51 and 1968. Married to Mr. Gruber 1991-97 and mother of an adopted a child. (b. 1946-).

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, The Philippines

As executive GMA is also Head of the Cabinet. In January 2001 she was succeeded Joseph Estrada. In 2004 she was re-elected to the post of President.

Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia

When she became leader of the Democratic Party in 1993, she triggered the opposition against President Quarto. In 1999 her party won the most seats in the Parliament, but Abdulrahman Wahid was elected President. This caused serious riots all over the country and she was elected vice-President the following day. In August 2000 the ailing President Wahid charged her with the running of the daily business of the government and state and she chaired the cabinet meetings. At the 23rd of July he was ousted and she inaugurated as President.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia (16.01.2006- )

1972-73 and 1977-79 Secretary of State of Finance, 1979-80 Minister of Finance, 1980 President of the National Bank, 1980-85 worked for the World Bank, 1985-86 in house arrest after her return, 1990-92 Leading member of exile-government of Amos Sawyer in United States of America, 1992-97 African Director of the UNDP (United Nations Development Program). From 1997 Leader of the Unity Party. Presidential Candidate in 1997, Candidate for the Chairmanship of the National Transitional Government in 2003 and finally won the presidential elections in November 2005. She is divorced, mother of a number of children, and grandmother.

Women are considered as the weaker sex that is why most people would think that they are less efficient and less effective compared to their male counterparts. However,  effective and efficient governance is not all about being a man or a woman. So, women leaders and other aspiring women leaders should not be judged this way.