Women Leaders Face Challenges and Break Barriers in 2024

Global shifts in political and economic power reveal setbacks for female leadership but also highlight historic milestones and emerging influence.

The number of female heads of state and government has dropped to 26, down from a peak of 38 in 2023, reflecting broader challenges in political representation for women.
Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum became the country's first female president, debuting at No. 4 on Forbes' 2024 Most Powerful Women list after winning a landslide election and taking a strong stance on global trade issues.
Namibia's Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected as the nation's first female president and will take office in March 2025, signaling progress in regions with historically low female leadership.
The Reykjavík Index, which measures perceptions of women's leadership, has fallen to its lowest level since 2018, highlighting persistent societal biases against women in power.
Women are increasingly shaping transformative sectors like AI, finance, and space exploration, with leaders like Lisa Su of AMD and Gwynne Shotwell of SpaceX driving innovation and systemic change.