With unconfirmed reports about Kim Jong Un’s health circulating the web after his disappearance in integral ceremonies recently, the dictator’s younger sister Kim Yo Jong has been pushed in the spotlight. Can she become the next leader of North Korea and the very first female dictator, in a world currently having 8% women politicians?
Crux of the Matter
Man’s World No More: North Korea’s Fourth, a Woman? Kim family dynasty’s first prospective female leader, Yo Jung is believed to be in her mid-30s and the brain behind his brother’s carefully constructed public image. She ventured on the world stage in 2007, after being appointed as a junior cadre to the Korean Worker’ Party by her father, Kim Jong-il.
The North Korean dictators’ dynasty, starting from the father, son and grandson
Yo Jung went on to highlight her inclination towards tyranny when in 2017 the US Treasury Department blacklisted her for “severe human rights abuses”. Then representing her country at the 2018 Winter Olympics, she publicly praised Donald Trump, giving us an insight into how future international relations can be between North Korea and the US.
Meet Kim Yo Jong, in all probability North Korea's all powerful new leader. She is less mercurial than her brother Kim Jung Un & is definitely more preferable.https://t.co/lJeyaZ10qd — bill shea (@bill_21c) April 24, 2020
In a country known for Totalitarianism, an authoritarian form of government North Korea’s senior cadres are mostly male, with a few exceptions like Choe Son Hui, their vice Foreign Minister. Since Kim dynasty’s living men are either uninterested in politics or too young to play the dirty game, Yo Jung is being touted as a logical choice for being a trusted political figure from the current bloodline of dictators.
Women-in-command in Other Parts of the World
Best of Both Worlds: Angela Merkel
Germany’s first female Chancellor, Merkel was a successful research scientist before she joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Appointed as a minister for women and youth & environment and nuclear safety in the past, she is known for taking a bold stance when it comes to upholding her values.
Germany’s secret? Angela Merkel is a scientist. Not just any scientist, a quantum chemist 👩🔬🧠💪 https://t.co/F7XzS3e5ve — David Sinclair, PhD (@davidasinclair) April 24, 2020
Be it making her nation a world leader in the energy reform sector after the Fukushima disaster or forming swift foreign policies during the Russia and Crimea dispute. A recipient of Doctor Honoris Causa for her accomplishments in the EU, she aced the 4 Ds in her political career: Diplomacy, Diligence, Determination, and Duty.
Goddess of Growth: Sheikh Hasina
Currently serving her fourth term, Hasina is the longest serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh. A firm believer of democracy and development, her nation observed an unprecedented economic growth of 7% in the past decade under her able leadership.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh has tripled since she came into power in 2008
Pushing Bangladesh closer to acquiring the middle income country status, she demonstrated how it was possible to venture into the famous Padma Bridge construction without any World Bank funding. She is indeed the daughter of Father of Bangladesh and it’s first president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who freed Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistan (then called West Pakistan).
The Woman Behind Jacindamania: Jacinda Ardern
Ardern is one of the youngest female leaders in the world at the age of 38 and New Zealand’s youngest PM in 150 years. Known for speaking out about sexism and racism since the beginning, she set a new legacy for multitasking women in politics, when she delivered a baby while expertly tackling issues like climate change and poverty. Then she went on to announce welfare reforms like a weekly stipend for new parents and an increase in paid parental leave from 18 to 22 weeks.
While conservative critics condemned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for creating a "nanny state" during New Zealand's strict lockdown, the country hasn't just than flattened its curve, experts say — it has crushed it. https://t.co/5THtRmVI8h — NPR (@NPR) April 26, 2020
The lady’s insistence on disregarding the Christchurch terrorism and war rhetorics, while recognizing the enormity of the loss caused, reflected a strong vision she had for her country. Before imposing a government ban on guns, she encouraged people to surrender military style weapons, which they did, reinstating the faith in her empathetic yet effective leadership style.
Dynamic Decision-maker: Theresa May
Britain’s second-ever female Prime Minister, May is one fearless woman who speaks her mind out. Be it against injustices like wage inequality or expressing public support for same-sex marriage, she has worked in various sectors of the United Kingdom’s government.
Former PM Theresa May urges government to take into account the rise in domestic abuse “as they consider the exit strategy from lockdown”, as MPs debate the Domestic Abuse Billhttps://t.co/igj1sBnOWm pic.twitter.com/y0aVlz7s5B — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 28, 2020
Nicknamed as Maybot for being “emotionless for a woman” during the 2017 elections and tiring times of Brexit, she focused on the “I can see it, so I can be it” model of rising to power for young females entering politics. As the longest-serving Home Secretary in six decades, she is well known for her work on police reform and stricter drug and immigration policies.
Curiopedia
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first non-hereditary female head of government in modern history. Mrs. Bandaranaike was elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1960. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have all had women PMs.
As per current stats, countries with female leadership have fared better in handling the COVID-19 pandemic:
Curated Coverage
The Guardian – The ugly truth behind the rise of Kim Yo-jong
Forbes India – What we know about Kim Yo-Jong, North Korea’s possible successor
The Telegraph – Why do female leaders seem so good at tackling the coronavirus pandemic?
Nation Builder – How Jacinda Ardern became New Zealand’s youngest female prime minister
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