Kamala Harris for President - The US just not ready? (Photo courtesy US Embassy, Prague)

In 2024, Kamala Harris’s historic bid for the presidency ended in defeat to Donald Trump, raising profound questions about America’s readiness to embrace a leader who embodies both racial and gender diversity. Harris, the first Black woman and first South Asian person to lead a major party ticket, represented a new chapter in U.S. politics. Her candidacy, following decades of trailblazing, seemed to bring the Oval Office closer than ever for women. Yet her loss underscored how deeply entrenched biases remain, even as the nation grapples with its evolving identity.

The struggle for women’s political representation in the United States dates back over 150 years. On April 2, 1870, Victoria Claflin Woodhull made history by declaring her candidacy for the presidency—decades before women even had the right to vote. It would take another 50 years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted American women the franchise. Despite this long history, the presidency remains elusive for women, even as other nations, including Mexico and Italy, have recently elected their first female leaders. The United States, often viewed as a beacon of social progress, finds itself an outlier in this regard.

While women have made remarkable strides in Congress, state governments, and grassroots movements, the Oval Office remains out of reach. It is only within the past 16 years that the presidency has truly seemed attainable for women. Hillary Clinton’s groundbreaking campaigns in 2008 and 2016, followed by Harris’s vice presidency and subsequent candidacy, have created significant cracks in the glass ceiling. Yet, these milestones coexist with persistent barriers, and Harris’s loss highlights how far the nation still has to go.

Harris’s journey builds on a legacy shaped by her predecessors. Barack Obama’s 2008 election as the first Black president demonstrated the potential for breaking racial barriers in American leadership, though his presidency also revealed the persistent realities of systemic racism. Similarly, Hillary Clinton’s campaigns exposed the deeply ingrained sexism in U.S. politics, with her qualifications often overshadowed by gendered critiques. Harris’s campaign faced the dual challenge of race and gender, highlighting how intersecting biases continue to shape the political landscape.

Over a century and a half after the first woman declared her candidacy, the presidency remains elusive for women, especially women of color. Harris’s campaign, though unsuccessful, forced the nation to confront these biases. As other nations continue to break barriers, the lingering question is when—and how—the United States will elect its first woman president.

A Global Lens on Women’s Leadership

Harris’s defeat stands in contrasts with the progress made in other nations, where countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and Oceania have elected women to their highest offices. These leaders have shattered entrenched patriarchal norms, proving that transformative leadership knows no gender boundaries. Their accomplishments challenge the notion of the United States as a global leader in progressivism, revealing how far the nation still has to go in embracing diverse leadership

Africa: Trailblazers in Resilient Leadership

Africa’s record of female leadership, while limited, includes remarkable women who have risen to power in challenging circumstances. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia became the continent’s first elected female president in 2006, tasked with rebuilding a nation ravaged by civil war. Her steady leadership, including her response to the Ebola crisis, earned her a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 and demonstrated the power of compassionate governance in post-conflict contexts.

Joyce Banda of Malawi, who took office in 2012 after the sudden death of her predecessor, focused on economic reforms and social development. Although her tenure was brief, Banda’s leadership showcased the potential of women to lead through crisis and improve their nations’ standing. Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, the country’s first female president, assumed office in 2021 and has since implemented pragmatic economic reforms while consolidating her leadership in a traditionally patriarchal society.

In Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde serves as the nation’s first female president. Although her role is largely ceremonial, her appointment in 2018 marked a symbolic step toward inclusivity in a nation with entrenched gender norms. Similarly, leaders like Najla Bouden in Tunisia and Judith Suminwa in the Democratic Republic of Congo exemplify how women in Africa are beginning to redefine governance.

Their successes highlight that Africa’s progress in female leadership is not merely symbolic but part of a broader trend toward representation. For the United States, these examples demonstrate how leadership rooted in resilience and inclusivity can break even the most rigid barriers.

Asia: Women Leading in Complex Political Landscapes

Asia has produced some of the world’s most iconic female leaders, navigating deeply traditional societies to drive progress. Indira Gandhi of India, who served as prime minister for over 15 years, redefined leadership with her decisive governance, from overseeing economic reforms to navigating the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. However, her legacy is also marked by the controversial declaration of Emergency Rule in 1975, reflecting the complexities of long-term leadership.

Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan broke significant barriers in 1988 as the first woman to lead a majority-Muslim nation. Her leadership, while marred by political instability and allegations of corruption, was a powerful symbol of hope and progress. Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, who served from 1996 to 2001 and 2009 to 2024, holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-serving female head of government. She oversaw economic growth, expanded access to education and healthcare, and raised the country’s global standing, though her tenure ended amid political turmoil.

Modern leaders like Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and Droupadi Murmu of India continue to challenge entrenched gender norms. Tsai has strengthened Taiwan’s international standing while navigating complex geopolitical tensions, and Murmu’s rise as India’s first tribal woman president symbolizes the growing commitment to representation. These examples highlight the adaptability and resilience of women leaders in Asia, offering valuable lessons for the United States on overcoming cultural and systemic barriers.

Europe: Pioneers in Breaking Political Barriers

Europe has long been a leader in female political representation. Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom shattered barriers as the nation’s first female prime minister, earning the title of “Iron Lady” for her firm governance during economic reforms and the Falklands War. Angela Merkel of Germany, whose 16-year tenure ended in 2021, symbolized steady leadership, guiding Europe through multiple crises with pragmatic and inclusive policies.

Recent leaders like Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Greece continue to challenge the status quo. Europe’s use of proportional representation and parliamentary systems has been instrumental in fostering female leadership, offering a blueprint for nations like the United States to create pathways for women to rise to the highest office.

South America: Women Disrupting Machismo Culture

South America’s female leaders have navigated the region’s deeply ingrained machismo culture to achieve significant milestones. Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Dilma Rousseff of Brazil focused on social reforms and poverty alleviation, overcoming systemic barriers to drive change. Dina Boluarte, Peru’s first female president, has brought attention to women’s leadership in a region often defined by patriarchal norms.

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina exemplifies the resilience of women navigating volatile political landscapes. Her presidency, though polarizing, demonstrated that women can implement transformative policies despite facing intense scrutiny. These leaders challenge the United States to confront its own systemic biases and create inclusive pathways for women to lead.

Oceania: Compassionate Leadership in Progressive Societies

Oceania has often been ahead of the curve in embracing women as leaders. Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand redefined leadership with her empathetic yet decisive governance during crises like the Christchurch Mosque attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia Gillard of Australia, despite facing relentless misogyny, left a transformative legacy in education and healthcare. Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, Samoa’s first female prime minister, emphasizes inclusivity and social development, proving that progressive governance and female leadership go hand in hand.

North America: Limited Progress in Gender Equality

North America’s progress has been slower but significant. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo became Mexico’s first female president in 2024, representing a historic milestone in a region often marked by gender disparities. Kim Campbell’s brief tenure as Canada’s first female prime minister in 1993 signaled an early step toward inclusivity. Sheinbaum’s leadership now offers a model of policy-driven governance, contrasting with the U.S., where the presidency remains an unbroken glass ceiling for women.

Globally, these leaders illustrate the transformative potential of female leadership and the strides other nations have made in overcoming systemic and cultural barriers. Their successes highlight the United States’ lagging progress in this arena and underscore the need for a more inclusive approach to leadership at the highest levels.

Why Has the Presidency Remained Elusive for Women in the USA?

Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 election highlights the systemic and cultural barriers that continue to prevent women from ascending to the highest office in the United States. While women have made notable advances in Congress, state legislatures, and grassroots political movements, the presidency remains a symbol of ultimate leadership that has yet to be claimed by a woman. This persistent gap raises critical questions about the nation’s political and cultural landscape.

At the heart of the challenge lies entrenched cultural perceptions of leadership. Traits like assertiveness and decisiveness—qualities celebrated in male candidates—are often scrutinized or criticized when displayed by women. These double standards were evident in Hillary Clinton’s campaigns, where her extensive qualifications were overshadowed by questions of “likability” and perceived emotional tone. Kamala Harris’s candidacy exposed an additional layer of complexity: as a Black woman, she faced compounded scrutiny rooted in both racial and gendered stereotypes, emphasizing the overlapping biases that still dominate American politics.

The U.S. electoral system itself exacerbates these challenges. Unlike parliamentary systems, where candidates often rise through party ranks with collaborative support, the American presidency demands an intense, individual-centric campaign. This amplifies biases, with women often portrayed as lacking the charisma or “gravitas” traditionally associated with male leaders. Media coverage further reinforces these narratives, frequently focusing on personality over policy and subjecting women to heightened scrutiny regarding their appearance, demeanor, and tone.

Another barrier is the self-perpetuating cycle of representation. The absence of female presidents creates a psychological barrier for voters, reinforcing the perception that women are unsuited for the role. Without tangible examples to normalize the idea of a woman in the Oval Office, stereotypes remain unchecked. This contrasts sharply with countries like New Zealand and Bangladesh, where leaders such as Jacinda Ardern and Sheikh Hasina have redefined leadership norms, normalizing the presence of women at the highest levels of power.

Harris’s campaign underscored both progress and ongoing challenges. Her candidacy represented a milestone, yet her loss illuminated how deeply ingrained biases continue to shape voter perceptions. Breaking through the ultimate glass ceiling will require more than trailblazing candidates—it demands a cultural shift in how leadership is defined and valued. Until then, the presidency remains an elusive goal for women, serving as a powerful symbol of the work that remains.

Glass Ceilings Were Made to Be Broken

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” Kamala Harris declared upon becoming vice president. Her words serve as a powerful reminder that progress, though often slow and incremental, is possible. Yet the question remains: how long will it take for the United States to elect its first woman president, and what will it take to break the ultimate glass ceiling?

The examples of women leaders across Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Oceania, and North America demonstrate that female leadership is not only possible but often transformative. These leaders have navigated crises, driven reforms, and redefined governance. Their success challenges the United States to confront its own resistance to female leadership and take steps toward genuine inclusivity.

America’s glass ceiling may hold fast for now, but history shows that glass, no matter how strong, can shatter under the weight of collective progress. Kamala Harris’s journey as vice president has already added cracks to that ceiling, leaving a legacy that will inspire future leaders and generations to come.