Women at the Helm – Unprecedented
Recently, I was sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of tea, scrolling through my news feed, when a name caught my attention: Samia Suluhu Hassan.
I paused, because I used to live in Tanzania. At that time, Julius Nyerere was president. He was the first president after independence and unification with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania on April 26, 1964. My friends from Tanzania and Kenya laugh at my broken Swahili.
Samia Suluhu Hassan became President of Tanzania in 2021. She secured a decisive re-election victory in Tanzania on October 29, 2025 (nearly 98 per cent of the votes).
As I was reading about Dr. Hassan, I realized I had recently read a few articles about women who are heads of state.
Curiosity pushed me to gather a full list.
Fact: There are now a record number of women serving as presidents and prime ministers around the world. They are reshaping what global leadership looks like. Their achievements bring fresh perspectives, proven strength, and real progress toward more inclusive and representative leadership.
Below is the complete roster of women currently serving as heads of state or government, along with a short biography that highlights the work each is doing.
Heads of State (Presidents)
Samia Suluhu Hassan – President of Tanzania
First woman President of Tanzania since 2021.
Focused on reconciliation, resilience, reforms, and rebuilding. Lifted bans on opposition rallies and reversed restrictive policies.
I lived in Tanzania with my parents for 10 years as a child
Claudia Sheinbaum – President of Mexico
First woman and first person of Jewish descent elected President since 2024.
Climate scientist with a Ph.D. and contributor to the IPCC. Prioritizes sustainability and social programs.
I have been to Mexico a couple of times
Droupadi Murmu – President of India
First tribal community member and second woman to serve as President since 2022.
Former Governor of Jharkhand. Dedicated to empowering marginalized groups.
Sandra Mason – President of Barbados
The first President of Barbados took office in 2021 when the nation became a republic.
Former Governor-General, judge, and diplomat.
Sylvanie Burton – President of Dominica
First woman and first Kalinago President since 2023.
Career civil servant with extensive experience as Permanent Secretary.
Sahle-Work Zewde – President of Ethiopia
First woman President since 2018.
Veteran diplomat and former UN Special Representative. Advocate for gender parity and unity.
I have landed in Addis Ababa a couple of times.
Salome Zourabichvili – President of Georgia
First woman President since 2018.
Former French diplomat and Foreign Minister. Supports EU and NATO integration.
Katerina Sakellaropoulou – President of Greece
First woman President since 2020.
Former President of the Council of State. Supports constitutional rights and environmental protection.
I have been to Greece a few times
Xiomara Castro – President of Honduras
First woman President since 2022.
Ended 12 years of conservative rule. Focuses on anti-corruption and social justice.
Halla Tómasdóttir – President of Iceland
Elected President in 2024.
Business leader and investment pioneer. Advocates for innovation and mental health.
Myriam Spiteri Debono – President of Malta
First woman President since 2024.
Attorney and former Speaker of the House. Focuses on unity and constitutional guardianship.
Hilda Heine – President of the Marshall Islands
First woman President, now in her second non-consecutive term since 2024.
Strong advocate for climate resilience and education.
Maia Sandu – President of Moldova
First woman President since 2020.
Former World Bank economist. Known for anti-corruption efforts and pro-EU priorities.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – President of Namibia
Elected President in 2024.
Long-time SWAPO leader, former Deputy Prime Minister, and independence-era freedom fighter.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova – President of North Macedonia
First woman President since 2024.
Law professor focused on constitutional issues and national identity.
Nataša Pirc Musar – President of Slovenia
First woman President since 2022.
Human rights lawyer and defender of free expression and privacy.
Christine Kangaloo – President of Trinidad and Tobago
The second woman President since 2023.
Attorney and former Senate President.
Vjosa Osmani – President of Kosovo
The second woman President since 2021.
Law professor and advocate for justice, reform, and international recognition.
Sara Zaafarani – Prime Minister of Tunisia
Assumed office in March 2025.
She graduated from the National Engineering School of Tunis with a civil engineering degree and from Leibniz University Hannover with a master's degree in geotechnical engineering.
Heads of Government (Prime Ministers and Equivalent Leaders)
Mia Mottley – Prime Minister of Barbados
Prime Minister since 2018.
First woman to hold the office. Internationally recognized for climate leadership and global financial reform.
Giorgia Meloni – Prime Minister of Italy
Prime Minister since 2022.
First woman to lead Italy. Entered politics at 15 and became the youngest minister in post-war history.
I had a wonderful visit to Italy a few years ago with my son, Daniel
Mette Frederiksen – Prime Minister of Denmark
Prime Minister since 2019.
Youngest PM in Danish history. Focuses on climate action and labour reforms.
I was in Denmark many years ago with my parents
Kristrún Frostadóttir – Prime Minister of Iceland
Prime Minister since 2024.
Economist and former Chief Economist. Focused on inflation and housing stability.
Evika Siliņa – Prime Minister of Latvia
Prime Minister since 2023.
Lawyer with priorities in national security, education, and support for Ukraine.
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa – Prime Minister of Samoa
Prime Minister since 2021. (Recently resigned)
First woman to hold the office. Traditional high chief and long-serving reformer.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra – Prime Minister of Thailand
Prime Minister since 2024. (Recently removed from office)
Youngest PM in Thai history and second woman to hold the office. Focuses on economic revitalization and youth engagement.
Victoire Tomegah Dogbé – Prime Minister of Togo
Prime Minister since 2020.
First woman in the role. Focuses on poverty reduction and community empowerment.
Judith Suminwa – Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Prime Minister since 2024.
Economist and former Minister of Planning. Works on security, economic diversification, and essential services.
My parents went on a trip to Congo and took me as a 6-month-old baby (so I don’t remember this trip)
Borjana Krišto – Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
First woman to hold this office since 2023.
Guides the country’s EU integration efforts and constitutional stability.
I travelled through these countries years ago on a trip from Israel to Austria
Why This Moment Matters
When I look at this list, I see more than just titles. I see change happening in places where I have lived, places I have walked through, places that shaped me. The list stretches across continents, cultures, and political systems.
This growing number of women in power stretches across continents, cultures, and political systems. Their leadership is reshaping how nations approach reform, conflict, climate, justice, and development.
Leadership is beginning to look more like the societies it serves, and this feels like real progress.