Sneha Chakaravarthy

Power, Politics, and Patriarchy:

America is among the world’s oldest continuous democratic systems, stretching back over 230 years. Yet, despite its rich history and global influence, not a single woman has ever held the office of President. Only three women have run as presidential candidates. The Oval Office remains an unattainable goal for women. This is from a nation that often prides itself on championing human rights and criticising other countries for oppression yet struggles to confront its own systemic barriers.

But why is that? Other nations have made strides in electing women to leadership roles. Khertek Anchimaa-Toka, from the now-defunct Tuvan People’s Republic, is recognised as the world’s first female head of state. Sri Lanka’s Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the first elected female prime minister in 1960, followed by Indira Gandhi in India (1966) and Margaret Thatcher in the U.K. (1979). Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has the record for being the longest-serving non-hereditary female head of government, with a leadership tenure exceeding 20 years. Iceland also made history by electing Vigdís Finnbogadóttir as the world’s first female president in 1980. Even countries grappling with severe gender inequality, like Pakistan, Liberia, and Bangladesh, have seen female leaders at the helm.

In Europe and colonised nations, monarchies have established the norm of women in leadership positions, while the U.S., deeply rooted in its revolutionary ideals, clings to the image of a male commander-in-chief. As Debbie Walsh from Rutgers University points out, “When Americans close their eyes and envision a president, they still picture an older white man.”

“There are those that make the contention that no women should ever dare to aspire to the White House, that this is a man’s world and that it should be kept that way,” spoken by Margeret Chase Smith in 1964. A trailblazer in American politics, Margeret broke barriers as the first Republican woman to run for the presidency. On the very day she announced her campaign, Washington Post columnists dismissed her bid as “non-serious.”

Decades later, Margeret’s words still resonate in 21st-century America, a nation that has yet to elect a female president. Despite significant strides in gender equality and vocal advocacy for feminism, the White House remains elusive for women, reflecting deep-seated cultural and political barriers.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State and Senator, faced off against the politically inexperienced Donald Trump and lost. In 2024, Kamala Harris—former Vice President, Senator, and Attorney General—also ran against Trump, now a convicted felon and sexual abuser, and met the same fate despite her historic achievements. Both campaigns revealed a troubling pattern: voters seemed open to electing a woman but not that woman. Harris entered the race with an impressive resume and notable strengths in healthcare, education, abortion rights, and climate change, yet faced relentless criticism for perceived weaknesses in foreign policy and economic strategy. The presidency remains linked to traditionally masculine traits like decisiveness, toughness, and strength, putting female candidates at an inherent disadvantage. This deep-seated association reflects broader societal struggles, where even rallying cries like “your body, my choice” are often weaponized by some men to undermine women’s autonomy—a stark reminder of the persistent backlash against women’s rights and leadership.

The Biden-Harris administration, in their four years in office, made significant strides for women and girls. They have defended reproductive rights, lowered drug prices for women on Medicare, achieved record women’s labour force participation, and advanced global human rights. Their leadership has also focused on ending violence against women and promoting women’s political participation.

Despite an election marked by uncertainties, women across the U.S. were expected to rally behind Kamala Harris. Months of polling indicated a near tie between Harris and Trump, with a notable gender gap. Democrats aimed for fanatical support among women to balance losses elsewhere, but this strategy fell short.

While Harris secured the majority of women’s votes, her advantage of about ten points was four points below Joe Biden’s 2020 performance. Additionally, she failed to surpass Biden’s support in any state and lost momentum among female, Latino, and Asian voters.

There were a few faults that led to the loss of the Democrat’s campaign. Harris’s campaign leaned heavily on abortion rights, blaming Trump for policies that undermined women’s health care. However, while abortion is a critical healthcare issue, it lacks the unifying power needed for broader voter appeal in America.

For Trump, the strategy was clear: “Engage men fully and maintain women’s support.” The campaign spotlighted economic growth and immigration reform while downplaying the disorder of his first term, his part in abortion restrictions, and his challenges to American democracy. Trump effectively tapped into cultural divisions, deep-seated resentment, and tribal loyalty to mobilize disenchanted voters who felt overlooked.

Democrat’s defeat, however, cannot be fully attributed to campaign missteps. Gender played a significant role in shaping voter perceptions. While it is difficult to blame sexism conclusively, the numbers tell a story: Trump has won two out of three presidential bids and defeated both his female challengers but lost to a white male opponent.

Even within Donald Trump’s Republican Party, women leaders have spoken openly about the challenges they face. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a member of Trump’s cabinet, highlighted the bias when she said, “When I walked into the United Nations, people didn’t expect much of me because I was a brown female governor.” Similarly, Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, while not directly addressing sexism, has acknowledged the intense scrutiny she endured as she broke ranks with Trump, facing backlash not just for her politics but for her perceived audacity as a woman standing firm in a male-dominated arena.

Nevertheless, the U.S. falls behind. Structural and cultural differences play a significant role. In parliamentary systems, leaders are often chosen by their parties rather than being directly elected, which minimizes personal biases and highlights policy over personality. Some countries even enforce quotas for women in political representation, a sharp contrast to the U.S. system.

The gruelling nature of American presidential campaigns puts women at a further disadvantage. With relentless scrutiny over an 18-month media frenzy, women face harsh criticism for their appearance, demeanour, and “likability.” Hillary Clinton was labelled “unrelatable,” while Kamala Harris was mocked for her “word salads.” In contrast, male candidates like Trump managed to turn their flaws into symbols of authenticity, highlighting a double standard that amplifies existing biases. Throughout his campaign, Trump embraced a hypermasculine image, seemingly brushing off four criminal indictments and multiple allegations of sexual assault (which he denies).

Yet, history shows that change is indeed possible. Many nations achieved female leadership during periods of upheaval, rebellion, or in the early stages of democracy, facing fewer precedents to impede their progress. Political dynasties have also played a crucial role, with figures like Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, and Corazon Aquino rising through family connections.

We may need to wait another four years or even four decades, but as more women step up to run for office despite the challenges, they will eventually overcome the barriers in their way. The rise of open misogynistic rhetoric clearly shows that the fight for equality is ongoing. True progress will remain elusive until men acknowledge their role in perpetuating these harmful attitudes and actively work to change them.

Every campaign led by a woman, regardless of the outcome, chips away at the longstanding obstacles they face. Change is coming. It may take time, but the momentum is building.