women leaders

In the course of a political career that has lasted over 30 years, Helen Clark only thought of quitting once. With a personal poll rating of just 2% soon after becoming party leader in 1993, she asked a few close friends whether there was any point continuing. "They said, 'You've just got to keep standing there', which was the best advice. If you keep standing, actually very few will come after you."

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has made clear that she has no interest in running for the city's top job in 2017.

While senior figures in both the main political camps have been talking about her suitability for the role of chief executive, Lam says she is expecting something else in some three years' time - retirement.

We invite you to read the full article published January 26, 2014

Last Monday, Central African Republic chose a leader the people believe can pull the country out of its destructive downward spiral. The leader the people of this troubled nation look to with great and hopeful expectations may come as a surprise. Her name is Catherine Samba-Panza – and yes, she is a woman.

We invite you to read the full article published January 24, 2014

Last year, only 17% of attendees at the World Economic Forum’s annual conference at Davos were women. This year, it’s 15%. It’s basically a game of Where’s Waldo, except imagine that Waldo represents over half of the world’s population, is trying to shape policy that will affect the world’s entire population, and is wearing a pantsuit instead of a stripy turtleneck. And check out this Olympic-level buck-passing from the conference’s managing director:

Helen Clark, New Zealand's Prime Minister for nine years, developed a reputation for being "no-nonsense" and "strong" at the top, something she shares in common with Britain's only female PM Margaret Thatcher. She gives Louisa Peacock a masterclass on how women can survive the cut throat world of politics

I laughed over the François Hollande “affair”, even when Valérie Trierweiler’s “deep blues” resulted her being hospitalised. Seemed like the vapours that conveniently overcame Victorian ladies. Ha ha. In India, by strange coincidence, a similar story was unfolding involving Shashi Tharoor, once a high-flyer at the UN and now an Indian MP and minister, as well as a columnist and author. Suave, handsome and talented, he’s a prolific tweeter with two million followers. I have debated with him at conferences and met his third wife, the glamorous Sunanda Pushkar, while visiting India.

Hillary Clinton has had a successful and trailblazing career as First Lady, New York senator, and Secretary of State. Over the past 25 years, she has been surrounded by a fierce circle of female advisers who make up a large part of her team.

Who are the women who have helped Hillary become Hillary? And how will their roles change if she runs for President in 2016?

Colonel Jamila Bayaz, a 50-year-old mother of five, this week became the first women to be appointed police chief  in Afghanistan. Bayaz will lead the 1st District of Kabul.