New Interview Series: Women World Leaders Tell Their Stories

In 1993, I embarked on an around-the-world journey to meet women who had served as presidents or prime ministers of their countries. I interviewed fifteen on camera, compiling their insights into a 1996 book and documentary. Hearing these women leaders describe their challenges and triumphs planted the seed that grew into the Council of Women World Leaders.

This journey taught me that “our potential is learned; what we hear and see forms what we think is possible”. In one conversation, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first woman president of Iceland and the first woman in the world to be democratically elected president of a country, reflected that after she had led her country for eight years, Icelandic children believed only a woman could be president. Her story is a powerful example of how representation and leadership can shift cultural perceptions and expectations, especially among children, and how visible female leaders can transform societal assumptions about who can hold power. 

I heard many common themes echo across continents and cultures. These women often felt their personal lives were scrutinized more, and their mistakes were less forgiven compared to those of their male peers. Yet, as I shared stories from one leader to the next, they seemed relieved to know they were not alone in those experiences. So, I asked them if they would like to meet each other, and the answer was a resounding yes. With that, we convened the first-ever gathering of women heads of state and government in 1996, and the Council of Women World Leaders was born. 

Fast forward to today, thirty years have passed, and much has changed, yet so much has not. The Council grew from that first meeting and now counts 94 current and former women heads of state and government as members. This expanding group is itself a testament to progress. 

Back in 1995, on the eve of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, women held only 11% of parliamentary seats worldwide. Today, that share has more than doubled to about 26%. These gains owe much to the global awakening that the 1995 Beijing Conference helped catalyze. The landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action provided an international framework for advancing gender equality, including women’s equal participation in political life. In the years since, we have seen a wave of gender-focused initiatives: nations adopting electoral gender quotas, the creation of UN Women in 2010, and the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 that set targets for women’s leadership. Thanks to such efforts, more women than ever sit in parliaments and cabinets, and more have ascended to high office. Each breakthrough, each “first woman” to hold a presidency or premiership, has inspired the next generation to believe they can lead.

And yet, the remaining gaps are stubborn and sobering. Even today, only 28 countries are led by a woman, and over 100 countries have never had a female head of state or government. The growth in women’s political representation has also slowed to a crawl. In the past year, the global percentage of women in parliament increased by only 0.3 percentage points, and the proportion of women government ministers fell from 23.3 per cent in 2024 to 22.9 per cent. At this pace, the World Economic Forum warns it could take 123 years to reach full gender parity.

The reality is that systemic barriers persist. Research confirms that having women in leadership improves decision-making and organizational performance, and women leaders are often noted for bringing new issues to the policy agenda and governing with a more inclusive style. Yet women who aspire to lead still face disproportionate hurdles, like biased perceptions of their capabilities and unequal access to the political networks. In today’s world, these challenges are compounded by digital harassment and online abuse, which can silence voices and deter participation. Many of the Council’s members had to overcome these obstacles as “the first woman” in their office, and their journeys illuminate how we can break those barriers for others.

So why revisit these stories now? 

We stand at a crossroads where we can either push forward to continue to shatter the highest glass ceilings or risk stalling out. It is a moment to reflect and renew our commitment to the work still ahead. Many of the pioneering women I interviewed in 1993 are active in public life; meanwhile, a new wave of women leaders has risen in countries worldwide. 

By revisiting their experiences now, we can draw a line from the struggles and triumphs captured in the 1990s to the realities of today. In doing so, we are also underscoring the enduring relevance of the Council and its mission. The Council of Women World Leaders exists to increase the number and visibility of women at the highest levels of leadership.

I am proud to introduce the Council of Women World Leaders Interview Series, a new initiative that builds on our legacy of narrative-driven change. Through candid conversations with women who have held the highest political offices, this series offers a powerful look at leadership. By revisiting the journeys of pioneering leaders and elevating the voices of those shaping our present, we want to inspire future generations to lead with courage and conviction.

By hearing the stories of “then and now,” side by side, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of how change happens over time, and what it will take to create a world where women in leadership are simply the norm. They will also be a powerful reminder of why women’s leadership matters. The challenges that face our world need the talents and insights of all humanity. Women’s voices and leadership are not just about equality for its own sake; they are about better governance and a better future for everyone.

Because when women lead, everyone benefits, not just women and girls, but men and boys too. Gender-inclusive leadership leads to more balanced decision-making, broader policy perspectives, and greater societal resilience. Women leaders often champion issues like education, healthcare, child welfare, and anti-corruption policies that uplift entire communities. Equally, men who support gender equality and collaborate in leadership help dismantle outdated norms that limit everyone's potential.

In today’s interconnected world, the most urgent problems, whether local or global, require collaborative, diverse leadership. We cannot afford to leave half the world’s talent on the sidelines. Only by working together, across gender, generation, and geography, can we solve the challenges of our time and shape a more inclusive future.

I am excited to embark on this new chapter and to share it with all of you. In the coming weeks and months, follow along on the Council’s website and social media as we release each interview, along with reflections and highlights. I hope that a young woman reading these stories will see a piece of herself in these leaders, and perhaps imagine herself stepping into their shoes one day. We want to show the world that women belong in every seat at every table.

– Laura Liswood (Secretary-General, Council of Women World Leaders)