The most powerful women in the world in 2024

Washington [US], December 28: As economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions reshape the global order in 2024, a key question arises about whether women's power is progressing or regressing.
In fact, according to Forbes magazine, men still dominate, with three of the world's four largest economies never led by women. US Vice President Kamala Harris failed in her bid to become the first female president of the country that owns the world's largest economy.
The Big Five of Silicon Valley has never had a female CEO, while on Wall Street, among the big banks, only Citigroup has a female CEO, Jane Fraser. Overall, women lead just 8% of the companies in the S&P 500.
Profound change
But focusing solely on these numbers misses a profound shift that Forbes ' 2024 list of the world's 100 most powerful women reveals. While established hierarchies remain intact, women are increasingly taking control at key stages of the transformation of industries.
From artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure to market systems to policy frameworks, their decisions pervade many sectors and societies . Their influence comes not from traditional authority but from strategic positions at the intersection of change, representing a new and potentially more influential kind of power.
This power dynamic is evident at the pinnacle of global influence. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (ranked No. 1) and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (ranked No. 2) together shape the fate of the EU's $18 trillion economy. Their decisions impact everything from AI regulation to climate policy.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (ranked No. 3) leads the European Union's (EU) third-largest economy during a crucial transition. Meanwhile, Claudia Sheinbaum (ranked No. 4), Mexico's first female president, leads the world's 15th-largest economy at a time of regional transformation.Make a big impression
Perhaps most notable is the impact of women coming from unlikely places. At just 22, basketball sensation Caitlin Clark (No. 100) demonstrates how quickly the rules of power can change.
The American basketball star has swept men's championships and broken WNBA viewership records before her first professional game. The "Caitlin Clark Phenomenon" has caused many to rethink their assumptions about market value and economic potential. The impact of young female athletes has extended beyond sports , into media rights, advertising, and cultural expectations.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper