First female Prime Minister in the world Sirimavo Bandaranaike

There was a time when women were kept out of politics and denied even the right to vote. The adoption of the universal franchise principle along with the spread of democracy has led to a situation where more and more women are participating in politics now as elected representatives. Many hold ministerial portfolios while some have reached the top as heads of state and of government. It is currently estimated that 22 women are functioning as Presidents, Prime Ministers or Chancellors in their countries. Although impressive, this number is by no means enough. We have miles and miles to go before women are elected to office worldwide in proportion to their numerical strength.

First female Prime Minister in the world Sirimavo Bandaranaike

It was on July 21, 1960, that first woman in the world, Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike assumed office as Prime Minister. Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world’s first non-hereditary female head of government in modern history when she was elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. It is said the British press had to coin a new description “Stateswoman” instead of the usual statesman after she assumed office. She served three terms: 1960-1965, 1970-1977 and 1994-2000.

Here are some interesting facts about Sirimavo Bandaranaike first female Prime Minister in the world:

• Sirimavo, known generally as Sirima, was born on April 17, 1916, as the eldest daughter of Barnes Ratwatte Dissawe and Rosalind Hilda Mahawelatanna Kumarihamy a Kandyan “radala” family of aristocratic lineage.
• The first female Prime Minister was educated in Catholic, English-medium schools, but remained a Buddhist and spoke Sinhala as well as English.
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike also served as the Minister of Defence and External Affairs of Sri Lanka.
• She got married to SWRD Bandaranaike in 1940, who later became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike joined the Lanka Mahila Samiti (Lankan Women’s Association), the country’s largest women’s voluntary organization in 1941.
• The first female Prime Minister was unanimously elected party president by the executive committee of the Freedom Party of Sri Lanka.
• The illustrious Sri Lankan power couple Solomon and Sirima had three children who wandered into politics and affairs of the government and public welfare.
• She worked and focused on improving the lives of women and girls in rural areas of Sri Lanka.
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1975 created the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs in Sri Lanka.
• The first female Prime Minister played a large role abroad as a negotiator and a leader among the Non-Aligned Nations.
• She was stripped of her civil rights in 1980 for abuses of power during her tenure and barred from the government for seven years.
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike died on 10 October 2000 of a heart attack at Kadawatha.