Women have taken on leadership roles globally over time, though it was rare until after World War 2. Some notable early female leaders include Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the first female president of Iceland in 1980, and Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the first female prime minister in the world. While women leaders can impact change, the group notes they may need more experience, as some like Maria Estela Martínez de Perón in Argentina and Sabine Bergmann-Pohl in East Germany faced challenges or were removed from office. Overall, the document discusses how the role of women in global politics has evolved over the decades.