When speaking about the roles of female politicians, we usually mention 'the effect of Joan of Arc'. This means that we are looking forward for them to taking on significant roles like she did. Two strengths of women are considered to be multi-tasking and performing mother's roles.

The first woman president of the world was Isabel Martinez de Peron, president of the Argentine Republic(1974~1976). She was a vice president before becoming a president by the death of her husband, who had been president. Even though the succession of presidency had no legal difficulties, she was blamed by the nation. Finally, she was expelled by a military coup in March of 1976. Although the completion of the first female president was not successful, prestigious female politicians arose in the 1990s.

There are 16 incumbent women presidents and prime ministers. This year, 6 countries have female political leaders: Switzerland, the Slovak Republic, Australia, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Costa Rica, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Now, the presidential candidates of Brazil consist of 2 women out of 3 candidates, and 1 of the 2 women is a leading candidate.

The ratio of female leaders is getting higher for not only presidents and prime ministers but also cabinet members. Spain is a country where male chauvinism is firmly rooted. However, in 2008, the list of cabinet members that Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero included 9 women ministers among 17 cabinet members. Since that was for the first time in the world, it attracted global attention. Carme Chacon Piqueras, the spainish Minister of Defense, received the most attention. She inspected the army with dignity, when she was pregnant, and she encouraged native soldiers in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year, the cabinet of Switzerland consists of 4 women out of 7 members, which is an also extraordinarily. It is very meaningful because this cabinet was organized just 40 years after women's political rights in Switzerland had been granted.

As shown above, the number of female politicians is increasing. Not only this, some women have maintained power for a long time with successful governing based on women's sensitivity on social issues. For example, Mary Patricia McAleese, president of Ireland, has served for 13 years consequently from 1997, and Tarja Kaarina Halonen, president of Finland, has also served for 10 years.

The world is looking forward to seeing the remarkable activities of 16 Joan of Arcs in the future.