On June 5, 2015, multiple award-winning scientist Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim assumed office as President of Mauritius, becoming the first woman in her country to hold that position and one of only nine female Muslim heads of state in history.
Here’s a glance at those strong Muslim women leaders who led nations, inspired peoples and broke boundaries:
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan
Serving two terms as Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1998-90 and 1993-96, Benazir Bhutto was the first female Muslim head of state in the world. In 1999, she fled Pakistan for Dubai and lived in exile until 2007, when she returned to her homeland. In late December of that year, two weeks before the 2008 general election in which she was the leading candidate, Bhutto was assassinated in a bombing.
Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh
Begum Khaleda Zia was the Muslim world’s second ever female head of state. She served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister twice, from 1991-96 and 2001-06. She appeared on Forbes’ list of 100 Most Powerful Women in the World three times, in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Tansu Çiller, Turkey
Tansu Çiller is the country’s first and only female Prime Minister to date, serving from 1993-96. She was also the Deputy Prime Minister from 1996-97, a Professor of Economics and the President of the now-closed Istanbul Bank.
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina is the oldest child of Bangladesh’s first President and is the country’s current Prime Minister. She also served as PM from 1996 to 2001. For much of the last 20 years, her chief political rival has been Begum Khaleda Zia (above); the two women have alternated as non-interim Prime Ministers since 1991.
Mame Madior Boye, Senegal
Mame Madior Boye was Senegal’s first female President, serving from 2001-02. With a background in law, she has also served as Deputy Public Prosecutor, Judge, Vice President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers and the African Union’s Special Representative for the Promotion of the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.
Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia
Megawati, as she is known, was Indonesia’s first and only female President, serving from 2001-04. She is one of the children of Sukarno, Indonesia’s first President who declared the country’s independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Megawati has also served as Indonesia’s Vice President.
Cissé Mariam Sidibe Kaïdama, Mali
Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé was Mali’s first female President, serving from 2011-12 until she was removed from office in a coup d’état. She has also served as her country’s Special Advisor to the President, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Rural Development.
Atifete Jahjaga, Kosovo
As the current President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga is also the first woman and youngest person to ever hold that office in the modern Balkans. She holds a law degree and a Major General rank and previously served as Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police.
Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Mauritius
A multiple award-winning biodiversity scientist by training, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is the current President of Mauritius and first woman to hold that position in her country. Assuming office just in the beginning of this month, she is also currently the Managing Director of CIDP Research & Innovation.
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