Female leaders who persisted: Jacinda Ardern and others. Liz Truss left after 44 days.

• Liz Truss has resigned as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, becoming the shortest-serving leader to take up the position
• The 47-year-old’s replacement may take up office as early as Monday, some reports have alluded
• Considering the prime minister’s short time in office, Briefly News has compiled a list of five strong female leaders around the world who have stayed the course, despite various challenges

Liz Truss only spent 44 days as the prime minister of the United Kingdom before announcing her resignation on 20 October 2022.

The 47-year-old holds the record for the shortest term in office, with Daily Maverick writing that there could be a new prime minister as early as Monday, 24 October.

Being a woman in power is never easy, and ladies who take up leadership roles in any arena are often criticised and put to the test in various ways.

Read also

The Hardest Geezer Russ Cook will become the first man to run across Africa

Briefly News peeks at some female leaders around the world who have persevered through various storms and continue to lead their people with strength.

Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Jacinda Ardern is the 40th prime minister of New Zealand, elected in 2017. The 42-year-old has cemented herself as a strong, kind and fearless leader, responding quickly to incidents that affect her country.

In 2019, after the mass shootings at a Christchurch mosque, she showed solidarity with affected Muslim families, donning the hijab and rightfully referring to the incident as a terrorist attack, The Guardian wrote.

In June 2020, when many countries were still at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, under Jacinda’s leadership, New Zealand only had two cases, BBC wrote.

Read also

Limpopo bus crash: 9 victims identified, authorities expect long identification process

Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados

The 57-year-old was elected in 2018 and is the eighth prime minister of Barbados. Mia Amor Mottley has been described as a strong leader who has never seen her gender as a handicap, Forbes wrote.

In 2022, TIME Magazine named the prime minister as one of the most influential people of the year.

Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland

Sanna Marin is undoubtedly one of the coolest female leaders in the world. The 36-year-old isn’t afraid to be herself, which has often rubbed her criticisers the wrong way.

The Finnish leader has been the country’s prime minister since 2019, with her love of partying and clubbing often causing tongues to wag in disapproval, BBC reported.

Sanna was also raked over the coals after doing a photoshoot wearing a huge blazer with no shirt underneath, Daily Mail wrote. One thing is for sure, this prime minister dances to the beat of her own drum!

Read also

8-Year-old survivor of Moria bus crash that claimed 45 recovering in hospital

Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina has been serving as Bangladesh’s prime minister since 2009. According to Forbes, the 75-year-old is the country’s longest-serving prime minister and intends to focus on issues such as food security and access to healthcare and education in her last term.

Hasina first became prime minister in 1996 but was ousted in 2001 after Transparency International named Bangladesh the most corrupt country in the world, TIME Magazine wrote. She later resumed the post again eight years later.

Halimah Yacob, President of Singapore

Halimah may not be a prime minister, but she deserves an honourable mention on this list because of her leadership as the first female president of Singapore.

The 68-year-old has been serving as the president of the country since 2017. Before starting her term, Halimah was the parliamentary house speaker, The Jakarta Post wrote.

Read also

From Truss to Brown: Britain's shortest-serving PMs

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela: From Xhosa attire to military regalia, celebrating the mother of the nation’s style

Meanwhile, in another story, Briefly News honoured Winnie Madikizela-Mandela by reminiscing on some of the late freedom fighter’s most iconic style moments.

The ‘Mother of the Nation’ knew how to dress appropriately for various occasions, with her hair, military regalia and Xhosa attire all having special meaning. Mam’ Winnie was a strong woman, remembered to this day for her bravery in pursuit of freedom.

Source: Briefly News