Firsts

 


The inauguration of Kamala Harris as Vice-President of the United States is a first in US history. She is the first in more than one way – first woman VP, first black VP, and first South-Asian VP. It is a step toward gender equality in politics and government. It has taken a long time for this „first“ to happen.

 Other nations have had women as heads of state and government for a long time. Currently, there are 13 women in the world serving as heads of government and 11 as heads of state. European countries Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, Germany, Lithuania, and Serbia; Asian countries Bangladesh, Myanmar; the island nations of New Zealand and Barbados; African countries Togo and Gabun. These countries currently all have women who serve as heads of government. The female heads of state are very diverse, as well: Nepal, Taiwan, Singapore, Trinidad&Tobago, Ethiopia, Georgia, Slovakia, Greece, Kosovo, and Moldova. When we look at the whole history of women in power we find 110 heads of government and 60 heads of state. Add to those the hereditary monarchs.

All of these women have a personal story to tell of how they came to be what they were. Many of them were „firsts“ as well. But a first is only first once and they have prepared the way for more women to follow in their steps. But the first steps have to be taken by someone.

So what is so special about Kamala Harris being elected Vice-President? She is the first. It has never happened before in the US. She is the daughter of immigrants, with roots in India and the Caribbean. Her story is interesting. What makes her role special is that it has taken so long for a woman to reach this position in a nation that is proud to be called the land of the free. It has taken a long time for the American dream to make this step possible.

With this „first“ we also see a reversed role emerging: The Vice-President doesn’t have a Second Lady as support but a first Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff. He took time off from his law practice to campaign with and for his wife.  Now Emhoff will be teaching law at Georgetown University, but he intends to concentrate on being the man at the side of the Vice-President. We all know the saying: Behind every great/successful man there stands a woman. This will now have to be reversed. The Emhoff/Harris relationship seems to intrigue the American media and you can hear them discuss how they perceive them being really in love with each other. Why would this be so remarkable?

Most of the other women who have risen to leadership positions in government have supportive partners. Many have managed to stay out of the limelight, leading a relatively normal life. In America, the roles of the partners are much more public. It will be interesting to see how the First Lady and Second Gentleman of the USA fit into their positions and fulfill expectations. Dr. Jill Biden intends to continue working in her teaching job in addition to her duties as First Lady. That will also be a first for the US, although not for the world. It will be interesting to see how America reacts to these firsts.

I hope that the glass ceiling shattered by VP Harris will not be fixed again to prevent others from following in her footsteps. She has shown what is possible and others will follow.

 

Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP

 

List of female heads of state and government:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_elected_and_appointed_female_heads_of_state_and_government

 

 

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