Political Wives and Daughters

Congratulation to Cristina Kirchner, wife of former Argentinean President, who succeeds in the election campaign, becoming the first elected female President of her country. She follows the footsteps of many wives and daughters who have gained position of political power from family association with their husband or father. President Gloria Magapagal-Aroyo of the Philippines and past President Corazon Akino, former Indian Prime Minister Indhira Gandhi, Pakistani President Banazir Bhutto, Bangladeshi Presidents Sheikh Hasina and Khalida Zia, are good examples of women who gained leadership positions by this family-connection route. If Hilary Clinton wins in the next election and becomes President of the United States, she also follows this traditional women’s route to political power. Many people believe that this could only happened because we have a change of society’s attitude, and that in today’s world, women are equally accepted as leaders like the men. I happen to disagree with this view. History has shown us that ancient societies accepted the wives and daughters as leaders and rulers when the husband or father died. There really is nothing new in this phenomenon. Queen Nefertiti and Hatshepsut of Ancient Egypt, Catherine the Great of Russia, Queen Victoria of England, to name just a few, took this path to power. I think that evidence of a real change in public acceptance of women in power can come only when women are recognized as leaders on their own ability and capability. I can see some progress towards gender equality in the election success of the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Finland President Tarja Halonen, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They all came to power based on their own individual ability and effort and not on family connection of their father or husband.

Filed under Gender Issues |