The US still has not had a woman leader – here are the countries that have | CNN

CNN - Dec 22nd, 2024

In 2024, 45 UN member countries held national elections, with only four electing women as their heads of state or government, highlighting ongoing gender disparities in global political leadership. Notably, North Macedonia, Namibia, and Mexico elected female leaders for the first time in history. Despite some progress, the United States missed the opportunity to elect its first female president, marking a setback for gender representation advocates. The data indicates that 49 UN member states have had at least one female leader since the post-World War II era, yet 115 countries remain without a female head of state or government.

The story underscores the historical and cultural contexts influencing female political ascendancy, particularly in regions like Asia and Europe, where countries have had multiple female leaders over the decades. Experts emphasize the importance of women's representation in politics, as it encourages broader participation and challenges traditional perceptions of leadership. The success of female leaders can inspire future generations, promoting gender parity in political arenas worldwide. The Council on Foreign Relations' Women’s Power Index provides a comprehensive view of global progress, though significant gaps remain.

Elections Mexico United Nations Gender Equality Female Leaders North Macedonia Namibia United States Global Politics

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RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the status of female leadership worldwide, highlighting significant milestones and offering a comparative analysis across different regions. Its strengths lie in its factual accuracy and clarity, providing readers with a clear and informative read. However, there are some weaknesses, particularly in terms of balance and source quality. The article tends to focus more on successful instances of female leadership, potentially overlooking other critical perspectives that could enrich the discussion. Moreover, while the article references data from reputable sources like CNN and the Council on Foreign Relations, it could benefit from a broader range of voices and additional verification of certain claims. Overall, the article is informative and engaging but could be improved with a more balanced presentation and greater source diversity.

Accuracy

The article is largely accurate, providing detailed information about the number of countries that elected female leaders in 2024 and historical contexts of female leadership worldwide. It cites credible data from CNN and the Council on Foreign Relations, lending authority to its claims. For example, the article accurately notes that Sri Lanka was the first UN member state in Asia to elect a female leader in 1960, with Sirimavo Bandaranaike becoming prime minister. However, some claims, such as the precise reasons behind Sheikh Hasina's resignation, could benefit from further verification. Overall, the factual content is strong, but there is room for enhancing the precision of certain statements and ensuring all claims are backed by verifiable sources.

Balance

The article presents a somewhat imbalanced view by focusing predominantly on successful cases of female leadership, potentially overshadowing the broader context of gender disparity in politics. It highlights key figures and milestones, such as Angela Merkel's 16-year tenure, but lacks a comprehensive discussion of the challenges and systemic barriers women face in politics. The article could benefit from including perspectives that address these challenges more explicitly, as well as voices from countries that have yet to elect female leaders. This would provide a more nuanced understanding of the global landscape of female political leadership, balancing success stories with the realities of persistent gender inequality.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and logical structure that guides the reader through the history and current status of female political leadership worldwide. It effectively uses subheadings and chronological order to present complex information in an accessible manner. The language is professional and neutral, avoiding emotive expressions that could detract from its objectivity. For instance, the discussion of various female leaders' tenures is straightforward and informative. However, while the article is generally clear, it could improve in detailing specific methodologies or definitions used in the analysis, which would further aid reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article primarily relies on reputable sources such as CNN and the Council on Foreign Relations, which are known for their authority in global news and policy analysis. These sources provide a solid foundation for the data presented, particularly regarding the timeline of female leadership across UN member states. However, the article could improve by diversifying its sources, including academic perspectives or insights from women's rights organizations, to enrich its analysis. Additionally, while the article mentions interviews with experts like Farida Jalalzai, it would benefit from a broader range of expert opinions to enhance the depth and credibility of its claims.

Transparency

The article demonstrates a good level of transparency by disclosing its methodology, specifically how CNN updated the Council on Foreign Relations' data to exclude certain categories of leaders. This clarity in the data collection process helps build trust with the reader. However, the article could improve by providing more context about potential biases in its sources or the implications of excluding certain types of leaders from its analysis. Additionally, while it cites expert opinions, the article does not delve into any affiliations or potential conflicts of interest these experts might have, which would enhance its transparency.