Hon. Dr. Emma Kantema Receives Global Power Impact & Legacy Award, Champions Women’s Economic Empowerment at GPWF Cambridge 2026 First Lady of Lithuania Receives Global Power Impact & Legacy Award at GPWF Cambridge 2026 Baroness Sandy Verma Calls for Women to Lead the Global AI Conversation at GPWF Cambridge 2026 Kwara First Lady, H.E. Ambassador Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, Honoured with Global Power Impact & Legacy Award at GPWF Cambridge 2026 Nanna Sylla-Coulibaly Champions Investment-Ready Women-Led Businesses at GPWF Cambridge 2026 Zeinabou Sidibé Calls for Smarter Trade Finance to Unlock Women-Led Enterprises at GPWF Cambridge 2026

The Politics of Being a Woman in Power

By Blossom Ukoha In 2026, the image of power is evolving, but not nearly at the pace required for true equality. Across the globe, more women are stepping into leadership positions in politics, business, and civil society, yet the systems they enter remain deeply shaped by historical gender imbalances. To be a woman in power today is to exist within a paradox, where progress is visible but equality remains incomplete. Power, as it currently exists, is not neutral. It carries the weight of tradition, bias, and long-established norms that women must constantly navigate and, in many cases, challenge in order to lead effectively. The Numbers Behind the Narrative The data tells a compelling story about how far the world has come and how far it still needs to go. As of January 2026, women hold approximately 27 percent of parliamentary seats globally. While this reflects steady progress over the years,…