Introduction

Abstract

Four United Nations (UN) world conferences on women (New Mexico 1975; Copenhagen 1980; Nairobi 1985; and Beijing 1995) and an International Decade for Women (1975–1985) succeeded in raising gender awareness and narrowing gender gaps in education and economic participation, though unevenly across countries. However, gender inequality in the political domain remains a pervasive global phenomenon. Gains realized by women in the public sector lag behind their educational attainments, economic contributions, and professional achievements in the private sector. This conundrum of the mismatch between women’s gains in the public and private sectors motivates this research on women’s political leadership.