Women in Geopolitics: Navigating Power, Diplomacy, and Global Challenges.

Shama Khanam

“There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on only one wing.”— Swami Vivekananda

Imagine a world where half the population’s voices are muted in decisions that shape wars, peace, and global policies. For centuries, this was our reality. While men have dominated geopolitics, women like Razia Sultana, who commanded armies in 13th-century India, and Angela Merkel, who steered Europe through crises, prove that leadership knows no gender or be it Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister who shaped India’s foreign policy with strategic alliance, nuclear diplomacy and leadership during Bangladesh liberation war. Yet their stories are exceptions, not the norm.

This isn’t just about fairness, it’s about survival. From climate change to pandemics, our interconnected world demands all hands-on deck. Here’s how women have shaped geopolitics, why their exclusion harms us all, and how you can help rewrite the rules even from your living room.

The Wing Unheard

The world takes flight, yet tilts in pain,

One wing soars, the other in chain.

From what to eat to where to go,

One voice decides, one stays low.

It isn’t new, it isn’t strange,

A tale as old as time’s own range.

Yet some have torn the sky apart,

Indira, Angela, a daring start.

But now the world limps, struggles, sways,

One wing alone can’t face the days.

It’s no favor, it’s no plea,

It’s the cost of harmony.

By right, by will, by fire, by fate,

She claims her space, it’s not too late.

Born to rule, to rise, to be,

Not just a shadow, but destiny.

-SHAMA-

When Women Ruled: Forgotten Queens and Modern Icons

History books often sideline women, but their fingerprints are everywhere:

• Razia Sultana defied 13th-century sexism to rule Delhi, reforming taxes and leading troops to be overthrown by nobles who couldn’t stomach a queen.

• Catherine the Great of Russia, dismissed as a “foreign usurper,” modernized her nation and outmaneuvered male rivals to expand its empire.

• Golda Meir, a Milwaukee schoolteacher turned Israeli PM, was mocked as “the only man in the cabinet” while brokering peace deals.

These women didn’t just break glass ceilings, they rebuilt the floors beneath them. Yet until the 20th century, most women influenced geopolitics indirectly: through royal marriages, secret diplomacy, or as activists like Bertha von Suttner, whose anti-war novels inspired the Nobel Peace Prize.

Why Women’s Leadership Changes the Game

When women lead, they often rewrite the playbook:

1. Peacemakers in Action

In 2003, Leymah Gbowee mobilized Liberian women to end a brutal civil war. They staged sit-ins, prayed, and even threatened a sex strike. Their relentless pressure forced warlords to sign a peace deal. Result? A 50% drop in violence in regions where women led peace building.

2. Diplomacy Beyond Egos

New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern became a global icon during COVID-19 by prioritizing empathy: “Be strong, be kind.” Her “kindness over conflict” approach saved lives and inspired a UN movement for compassionate leadership.

3. Fighting for the Invisible

Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, a torture survivor, transformed her pain into policy as the first UN Human Rights Chief to spotlight LGBTQ+ rights and climate justice.

4. Women For Environment

Globally, women lead grassroots movements from tree-planting initiatives like Kenya’s Green Belt Movement to Indigenous land stewardship protecting biodiversity and combating deforestation. Their leadership in climate policy, exemplified by figures like Christiana Figueres or Wangari Maathai, prioritises equity and resilience.

But here’s the twist: Studies show women leaders aren’t inherently “softer”, they’re strategic. They build coalitions, prioritize education, and invest in healthcare. When Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Liberia’s president post-war, she tripled school enrollment and slashed child mortality. As Liberia’s president, Sirleaf broke barriers for women in African politics, inspiring global attention to women’s leadership.Focused on rebuilding Liberia after civil war, emphasizing inclusivity and gender equity as pillars of national recovery. She also Partnered with grassroots activists like Leymah Gbowee, whose Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement helped end the civil war. She was awarded with Nobel Prize in 2011 Recognized for her efforts to advance women’s safety and participation in peacebuilding.

The Invisible Walls: Why Women Still Struggle

Picture this: A female ambassador enters a summit. She’s greeted with, “Where’s your boss?” Or a peace negotiator interrupted 15 times in an hour. These aren’t anecdotes they’re daily realities.

Key barriers:

• “You’re Too Emotional” Bias: Female leaders face a double bind: labeled “weak” if compassionate, “shrill” if assertive. Germany’s Angela Merkel mastered a poker face to survive in a male-dominated EU.

• Violence as a Weapon: Over 80% of women parliamentarians report psychological abuse; some face rape threats. Brazilian councilwoman Marielle Franco was assassinated in 2018 after advocating for slum dwellers.

• The Money Trap: Women often lack funds to run campaigns. In the U.S., female candidates spend 60% more time fundraising than men.

Smashing the System: How We Win

Change isn’t magic it’s policy. Rwanda, scarred by genocide, now leads the world with 61% women in parliament. How?

• Quotas Work: Laws reserving 30% of seats for women transformed Rwanda’s recovery.

• Mentorship Networks: Groups like She Should Run train women to navigate politics’ “old boys’ clubs.”

• Safe Spaces: Iceland’s Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first elected female president, created childcare-inclusive parliament sessions.

You don’t need to be president to help:

• Vote Like Your Life Depends On It (It Does): Support candidates either male or female, who champion gender-balanced cabinets.

• Amplify Women’s Voices: Share Malala’s TED Talks, tag leaders in social posts about women-led climate solutions.

• Boycott Sexist Media: Call out news outlets that reduce female politicians to their outfits.

Your Living Room is a Diplomatic Hub

Geopolitics isn’t just for suits in a Parliament only.

• Host a “Global Issues” Book Club: Read works by women like Wangari Maathai (Kenyan environmentalist) or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

• Shop Like an Activist: Choose fair-trade brands supporting women artisans. Your coffee habit could fund a Guatemalan woman’s political campaign.

• Tweet (Wisely): A viral thread on #WomenInPeacekeeping pressured the UN to deploy more female troops.

The Future is a Collaboration

Swami Vivekananda’s “bird” can’t fly with one wing, but it’s not just about adding more wing. It’s about valuing traits society dismisses as “feminine”: empathy, collaboration, long-term thinking. When Sanna Marin (Finland’s PM) teamed up with other young female leaders to tackle COVID, they didn’t posture, they shared data.

The next time someone says, “Geopolitics is too complicated for ordinary people,” remind them:Every treaty, every law, every peace deal began as someone’s idea and ideas don’t care about your gender, age, or ZIP code.