Source: Egyptian Street

By Dalia Gebrial, who is an Egyptian writer and journalist living in South-East London. Currently, she is particularly interested in raising awareness about the historical and current labor and feminist movements in the Arab world.

When hearing about women’s rights in the Muslim world, the assumed story is often exclusively one of oppression, marginalisation and lack of power. However, many often forget that eight countries have had Muslim women as their head of state. This is compared to the fact that neither of the two major US parties – Democrats and Republicans – has ever nominated a female presidential candidate.

Here are the nine Muslim women who have ruled nations – how many have you heard of?

1. TANSU ÇILLER, Prime Minister of Turkey, 1993-1996.

TANSU ÇILLER, Prime Minister of Turkey, 1993-1996.

2. MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI, President of Indonesia, 2001-2004

3. MAME MADIOR BOYE, Prime Minister of Senegal, 2001-2002

Mame Madior Boye

4. ATIFETE JAHJAGA, President of Kosovo, 2011-present

5. ROZA OTUNBAYEVA, President of Kyrgyzstan, 2010-2011

ROZA OTUNBAYEVA, President of Kyrgyzstan, 2010-2011

6. SHEIKH HASINA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, 1996 – 2001; 2009 – Present

7. BENAZIR BHUTTO, Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988 – 1990; 1993 – 1996

BENAZIR BHUTTO, Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988 – 1990; 1993 – 1996

8. KHALEDA ZIA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, 1991 – 1996; 2001 – 2006

9. AMEENAH FAKIM, President of Mauritius, 2015 – Present

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius, 2015 – Present

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