The Western countries had the majority of women top leaders during the 1990s and later. Eight new countries got women as national leaders, and five had more than one. Of the seven countries that had women top leaders earlier (Germany included), four got one more. In all, 17 women rose to the top in this part of the world during the period 1990–2010. However, it was no straightforward or consistent development, despite the relatively peaceful conditions, high living standards, well-established democracies and increasing participation of women in politics in general.

Irish surprise: Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese

Against all odds

It attracted attention both nationally and internationally when the conservative Catholic Ireland chose a woman, and, in addition, a radical advocate for women, as president in 1990. People outside of the country knew little about women's political activity on the island: that women participated in the uprisings against British royal power, were active in political and intellectual circles in the 19th and 20th centuries, and took action in the 1960s and beyond against poor economic conditions, rape, abuse of women and restrictions on contraception and abortion. Women were also involved in the political-religious conflict in the north of the island. Some fought and were imprisoned, while others marched for peace or made their mark in political parties.

Mary Robinson was warned in advance: if she ran for president, she had no chance of being elected. A woman had never run before. The position was usually viewed as a reward for loyal service to one of the major parties and Mary Robinson insisted on running as an independent (O’Callaghan, 1996: 262). The governing party, Fianna Fáil, had never lost a presidential election, and now the party presented the experienced and popular Minister of Defence Brian Lenihan. In Ireland's parliamentary system, the president had little power. The main task was to protect the constitution. But the position enjoyed considerable prestige. And to the surprise of many, a woman newcomer was elected.

Mary Robinson, born Bourke, grew up in a well-off Catholic family characterised by high performance, independent thinking and social responsibility. Both parents, Aubrey and Tessa Bourke, were physicians, and Aubrey took up practice at home. Tessa was involved in her medicine, but few patients trusted a woman and she reared the family.