Women’s inclusion in politics has historically been a strong point in Nordic and Baltic European countries. However, the Balkans have also seen an increase in female leaders in recent years. Despite this progress, men still dominate leadership roles across Europe. Out of 50 countries on the continent, only 15 have a female prime minister or head of state. In the EU, there are only seven female leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and Christine Lagarde. The Balkans have seen a rise in female leadership, with countries like Slovenia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Greece, and Bosnia and Herzegovina having women in top political posts.
Many of the female leaders in Europe have a background in law or the legal profession. This includes Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar, North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and Bosnia’s PM Borjana Krišto, among others. Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Lithuania’s Ingrida Šimonytė are the exceptions, although they all have completed higher degree studies. Despite the progress made in terms of female leadership, there are still 15 European countries that have never had an elected female leader as either prime minister or head of state.
Finland was the first European country to elect women MPs in 1907, followed by Norway, Estonia, Russia, and Ukraine. However, women are still underrepresented in European parliaments, with Scandinavia being the region with the highest share of female parliamentarians. Only Andorra has a 50/50 ratio of male and female MPs. Spain has the most equal representation among Europe’s big five, with the UK also making progress in the recent general election by returning the highest number and proportion of female MPs ever recorded in the country.
Although women have made significant strides in leadership roles in Europe, there is still a long way to go in achieving gender equality in politics. Despite the presence of female leaders in Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as the Balkans, men still hold the majority of political power across the continent. The European Union, with only seven female leaders out of 27 member states, still has a significant gender disparity in top political positions. While women leaders like Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and Christine Lagarde have broken barriers, there is a need for more women to rise to leadership roles.
Women in European politics often have backgrounds in law or the legal profession, showcasing their expertise and dedication to serving their countries. From representing prominent figures in legal cases to serving as law professors or judges, these female leaders bring a unique perspective to governance. However, the lack of female leaders in some European countries, such as Albania, Armenia, and Belarus, highlights the ongoing challenges women face in accessing top political positions. Efforts to increase the representation of women in politics can help bring diverse perspectives and solutions to the table for the benefit of all citizens.
Scandinavia and Andorra lead the way in female parliamentary representation in Europe, while countries like Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Spain still lag behind in achieving gender balance in politics. The recent gains made by the UK in electing a record number of female MPs demonstrate progress towards better representation of women in parliaments. As Europe continues to strive for gender equality in politics, it is essential to recognize and support the efforts of female leaders who are breaking barriers and reshaping the political landscape across the continent.
