2022 has been a rollercoaster of political surprises but none quite as shocking as the resignations of some of the world's most prominent female leaders. The news of Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon stepping down from political office left many wondering what it could mean for the future of women in politics. 

Jacinda Ardern officially announced that she would be resigning from her position as the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ardern carried New Zealand through tough times, from the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Not long after Ardern’s resignation, Nicola Sturgeon announced she was stepping down as the First Minister of Scotland after serving for over seven years. While in office, she advocated for Scottish independence and promoted a myriad of progressive policies. 

Ardern and Sturgeon made an enormous impact on their respective countries, with both leaders fiercely advocating for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice. However, their departure from high office has sparked concerns about the persisting underrepresentation of women in leadership positions across the globe.

Women’s Leadership 

Women’s leadership positions around the world are already very low, with only 34 women serving as the Head of State and Government around the world. According to UN Women, if progress continues at the current rate of women in high political leadership positions, it will take another 130 years before gender equality is achieved within the highest echelons of power. This alarming statistic emphasizes the critical need for increased representation of women in leadership positions and highlights the ongoing struggle to achieve true gender parity in politics. 

Challenges of Being a Female Leader

Interestingly, there were many similarities in the way that the two leaders exited the office. Both women alluded to personal reasons for their resignations, with Ardern stating that she “no longer had enough in the tank” to lead New Zealand and Sturgeon saying that “I am a human being.” Both also preemptively addressed the criticism they would face for their decisions to step down; Sturgeon referenced that people would criticize her lack of resilience while Ardern predicted that there would be discussions about the real reason for her resignation.  

The departure of these female leaders highlights the critical need for increased representation of women in leadership positions and the ongoing struggle to achieve true gender parity in politics. The sad reality is that women leaders face increased challenges simply due to their gender. For example, a study analyzing news coverage of Australian and Canadian newspapers found that new coverage tended to personalize female leaders significantly more than male leaders. Women leaders are undoubtedly held to higher standards and face much more scrutiny from the public, which takes a toll on them. The anxieties portrayed in their speeches confirm these pressures. 

It is unfortunate that both leaders were replaced by males, Nicola Sturgeon by Humza Yousaf and Jacinda Ardern by Chris Hipkins. It is crucial to address the challenges faced by female leaders and work towards gender equality in politics to ensure that more women can make a positive impact on their countries and the world. Shining a light on the challenges that women leaders encounter is a step in the right direction to inform the public about the significance of gender equality in politics. This way, we can encourage a change in mindset and lay the groundwork for lasting progress. As the number of women leaders in government increases, the association between leadership and femininity will become stronger, leading to a reduction in the personal pressure that women face to prove that they are qualified leaders. 

References

1. UN Women. "Facts and Figures: Leadership and Political Participation." 2021.

2. Trimble, Linda, Jennifer Curtin, Annika Wagner, Michael Auer, Valerie K. G. Woodman, and Brian Owens. "Gender Novelty and Personalized News Coverage in Australia and Canada." International Political Science Review, vol. 42, no. 2, 2021, pp. 164-178. doi: 10.1177/0192512119876083.