Queens and Prime Ministers

Hello La Reina fans, Women's History Month continues! Something that should be mentioned this month of course is the variety of "firsts" that women have achieved lately.

Not everyone can be the Queen anymore...now there are also democracies!

And so, we will take a look at women who have been elected to lead predominately Muslim countries.

First, Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007) was twice elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the daughter of prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was executed for allegedly killing his political opponents. Benazir Bhutto represented her father's party the PPP. She was removed from office twice by men. She returned to Pakistan to run for office for a third time but was killed at a campaign rally.

Second, Megawati Sukarnoputri (born 1947) was the first female President of Indonesia. She is the daughter of President Sukarno. She was made president when her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid was removed from office. She was President for three years and lost in Indonesia's first-ever direct election.

Third, Khaleda Zia was Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991-96 and 2001-06. She is the widow of assassinated President Ziaur Rahman. Sheikh Hasina Wahzed was elected Prime Minister and served from 1996-2001 and then from 2008 to the present. She is the daughter of the first President of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman That's two women in power.

Fourth, Tansu Çiller (born 1946) was served as Prime Minister of Turkey from 1993-96. She was not descended from any male political figures.

Well, it's not easy having these kinds of jobs. And the way men feel certainly seems to be an issue. But things are getting better. Here is a list of majority Islamic countries where women have recently gained the vote:

1999 - Qatar
2002 - Bahrain
2003 - Oman
2005 - Kuwait
2006 - UAE

Women still cannot vote in Saudi Arabia.

-E.M.