Fact Sheet Women in Public Office 2011 Across the World 2011

Political Pearls Across the U.S. Of the U.S. cities with more than 30,000 hile women, globally, are residents, only 194 women currently serve as W U.S. Mayors. Thus, like the variation that advancing in government U.S. Facts exists among the countries around the world, leadership, the United States the role of women in public office varies As of June 30th, 2011, the remains in a standstill. Women tremendously across United States worldwide are gaining momentum U.S. ranks 70th in the in government and the United World in terms of women’s States still questions whether or representation in national not women have the capacity and STATES WITH THE LOWEST ability to lead. The current number of female NUMBER legislatures or parliaments leaders in the United States represents the OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE out of 187 countries. The constant struggle and continuation of the lack of parity in U.S. government and how other U.S. is currently tied with countries are advancing faster than our very Ranking State Bosnia, Herzegovina and own. 1 Nebraska* 2 Alaska San Marino. Delaware STATES WITH THE HIGHEST 3 South Carolina Florida Rank NUMBER Wyoming OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC OFFICE 4 Utah Florida Ranks 12th Nevada (along with North Ranking State 5 North Dakota Oklahoma Carolina) among all the 1 New Hampshire 6 South Dakota states with the highest Louisiana 2 Vermont 7 number of women in 3 Minnesota West Virginia Alabama Illinois public office across the 4 8 Tennessee Maryland U.S. Mississippi 5 Connecticut Kentucky

6 Maine 9 Oregon 2012 Project 7 California Virginia Georgia Florida 8 10 Hawaii New York Florida welcomes the 11 Idaho 9 Washington Arkansas 2012 Project Florida, 10 Massachusetts 12 Ohio Florida's first state- 11 Missouri Rhode Island Florida Indiana based coalition. 12 North Carolina 13 Iowa 13 Kansas New Mexico 14 Pennsylvania Michigan Data 14 15 Texas New Jersey *No house– Unicameral 16 Colorado Arizona Legislation. 15 Wisconsin n 2011, out of the 317 available positions All 50 states are I 16 Montana represented. Some states among statewide elective executive offices across are respectively grouped the United States, 70 women hold positions. Political Pearls Around the Globe with other states to show a Six women are governors of their state, a tie. Women around the world are currently depressing decrease of 2 from 2008. Seven working hard to enter into Source for historical women currently serve in cabinet or cabinet- leadership positions to improve figures: Center for level posts. With a startlingly reality, only 40 the quality of life for their American Women and women have ever held a total of 45 cabinet or country and its people. Politics. cabinet-level appointments in the history of the U.S. Women in Public Office Around the World The rise of several prominent female 2011 leaders only highlights the First importance of First Female To ‘Elected’ Ever Hold that recognition in Country Leader Female of Notes Position in Her Her Coun- establishing gender Country International try equality around the Åland Facts Premier Viveka Eriksson √ √ Elected world. Nonetheless, Islands the status of women President Cristina Fernandez Twenty-six women Argentina √ Elected de Kirchner in politics around the Antigua and Governor-General Dame currently hold power √ Sworn In globe has not only Barbuda Louise Lake-Tack sparked the interest Appointed 2010, simultaneously Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard √ Elected 2009 of many but has also across the world. Governor-General Quentin raised awareness that Australia √ Sworn In Bryce capable and prepared Prime Minister Sheikh Elected 1996, Bangladesh √ √ Hasina Wajed Elected 2009 women are currently Internationally, there in leadership roles Brazil President Dilma Rousseff √ √ Elected are 11 women Prime throughout the world. Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla √ √ Elected By leveling the Ministers and 12 Prime Minister Jadranka leadership playing Croatia √ Appointed female Presidents. Kosor field for women, capable an prepared Finland President Tarja Halonen √ √ Elected political women have Rwanda, currently, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel √ √ Elected the opportunity to bring their different ranks first Prime Minister Jóhanna Appointed 2009, Iceland √ Sigurðardóttir Elected 2009 perspective to the nationwide, followed table. Thus, a political India President Pratibha Patil √ √ Elected by Andorra, Sweden, system without adequate South Africa, Cuba, Ireland President Mary McAleese Elected representation of Iceland, Finland, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga** √ √ Elected women is not only Norway, Belgium, the Kyrgyzstan President Rosa Otunbayeva √ Coup profoundly incomplete, it is President Ellen Johnson- Netherlands, and Liberia √ √ Elected Sirleaf unbalanced. Mozambique in terms Furthermore, it is Lithuania President Dalia Grybauskaite √ √ Elected important that the of women’s Prime Minister Cissé Mali √ Appointed system of government Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé representation. Sint reflect the Sarah Wescot-Williams √ Appointed Maarten community it serves Prime Minister Iveta Radi- **Side note: President Slovakia √ √ Elected because only then can čová Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo there be a balanced President Micheline Calmy- is the first non-partisan Switzerland √ Appointed Rey government with candidate and the youngest Prime Minister Yingluck to be elected to that office. Thailand √ √ Elected balanced policies. Shinawatra

Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Per- √ √ Elected Source: http:// and Tobago sad-Bissessar www.filibustercartoons.co Governor-General Dame Saint Lucia √ Sworn In m/charts_rest_female- Pearlette Louisy leaders.php Captitano Reggente Maria San Marino Sworn In Luisa Berti

Florida Women worldwide continue to make dramatic gains in politics, winning a Commission number of leadership positions and holding some of the highest government positions ever held by a on the Status of woman in their country. Growing number of women, across the world, are making inroads into Women politics and are finding their country’s emerging acceptance of women as political leaders. The United Office of the Attorney States, on the other hand, continues to struggle to elect more women into high government positions. General Thus, in order to accurately reflect society and ensure that women’s diverse interest is taken into The Capitol, PL-01 Tallahassee, FL account, it is essential to have a more equitable representation of women in governments worldwide 32399-1050 because when there is a shortage of women in political leadership, there is a wasting of knowledge, Phone: (850) 414-3330 competence, and unique perspectives. Fax: (850) 921-4131 www.fcsw.net A special thanks to FCSW Administrative Secretary, Veronica Vasquez, for her assistance in creating this report.