In an otherwise depressing time for international politics, the ascent of women leaders might be regarded as a cause for optimism. Following Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany since 2005, Theresa May became Britain’s second female Prime Minister in July. If Hillary Clinton wins the US presidential election in November, women will be in charge of arguably the three most powerful western nations.
But does this signify a fundamental shift in the way society treats women? Or is the gender of these three leaders—all creatures of the establishment—of purely symbolic interest?
Even if that’s true, symbols matter. Less than 100 years since British women got the vote, it is no doubt inspiring for the next generation of girls and boys to see women in charge as something normal. However, just as the rise of Barack Obama has not transformed the material conditions of most African Americans, it is worth questioning the extent to which women’s lives are automatically improved by having a woman at the helm.