For centuries, according to sources dating back, as far as 3000BC, women have governed- but it is up until the 1960s that a first woman was elected- Sirivamo Bandaranaika of Sri Lanka became the first elected female Prime Minister in 1960. In the last several decades, women have made enormous advancements in personal independence, be it career or politics, breaking the boundaries society had set for them.
The way up to the top job of leadership hasn't been as easy as their male counterparts; women not only have to contend and debate on their political stand, on civil or international affairs, but they also have to break the mind barriers of gender stereotyping.Taking a close look at campaign trails- women are always in the fore front supporting their partners, but few men are out there to give the same moral support to their wives, making Bill Clinton and a few others, an exceptional. Women like the late Indira Ghandi of India and the recent late Benazir Bhutto of pakistan have been assassinated- evidently, not that they are a political opposition, but they die for the cause of breaking through the same fears governing the minds. Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition in Burma has been held on house arrest since 1989.
There are also numerous analytical views that arise if a woman is running for any political or a big corporate position- doubts if men will be able to vote, given the gender of the candidate and not their credentials top the list. The question is, are men intimidated by the women in power or there is another reason not know to woman? Before, it was an undermining statement of;- "who is wearing a trousers?" But now, a woman has a tailored three piece suit. Now women are asking;- "does a woman need a political mustache or muscles to get a man's vote?"
Asking men of different back grounds, on their personal views on women in power;- intimidated or not, men have come a long way and have learnt to accept and are ready to give their vote, and recognition to women without reservations of any kind.
