As NATO meets in The Hague to tackle global security threats, the absence of female heads of state reveals a persistent gender gap in symbolic leadership
Dr. Ameena Zia
As world leaders convene in The Hague this week for NATO’s annual summit, the alliance faces not merely a familiar agenda of defence co-ordination but a volatile, fast-evolving global security environment. Ongoing wars and conflicts continue to reshape regional orders. The strategic challenges posed by Russia’s aggressive actions and China’s expanding influence are intensifying. Cyber-security, artificial intelligence and hybrid warfare are transforming the nature of conflict. In short, NATO meets at a time of heightened unpredictability and escalating global pressure.
The choice of The Hague as host city is itself deeply symbolic. Internationally known as the “City of Peace and Justice”, it is home to institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Nestled on the Dutch North Sea coast, the city embodies a commitment to diplomacy, the rule of law and multilateral dialogue. Its parks, dunes and seaside atmosphere offer a stark contrast to the pressing security challenges at hand, reminding attendees of the ultimate goal behind defence and deterrence: peace and stability.
The summit agenda is packed. Leaders will discuss continued military and financial assistance to countries affected by war, reaffirming NATO’s commitment to stability and conflict resolution. Defence spending is a central theme, with debate over raising the target for member states to allocate 5 per cent of GDP to defence—more than double the current 2 per cent guideline—reflecting the growing need to share the burden equitably.
The trans-atlantic relationship is under scrutiny, especially the United States’ enduring commitment to NATO’s mutual-defence guarantee amid shifting political landscapes. Equally pressing are the strategic challenges posed by Russia’s actions in Eastern Europe and China’s global expansion, particularly in technology and infrastructure. Leaders will also confront emerging threats such as cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and the implications of artificial intelligence for modern warfare.
The absence of women at the highest levels is not a crisis, but it is a clear signal that true equity remains unfinished, even within the world’s most powerful alliance
Yet amid this urgency one fact stands out: not a single NATO member state in 2025 is represented by a woman head of state. Even in the alliance designed to safeguard liberal values, symbolic leadership remains uniformly male.
Women’s leadership is not merely symbolic; it brings distinct perspectives essential to today’s complex security challenges. Studies show inclusive leadership fosters more comprehensive decision-making, encourages diplomatic creativity and strengthens conflict-resolution efforts. Women leaders often champion collaborative approaches, emphasising negotiation and peace-building alongside defence preparedness.
In debates on defence spending and burden-sharing, women leaders can offer insights into balancing military readiness with social and economic resilience. Confronting threats such as cyber warfare and disinformation requires diverse leadership teams attuned to societal impacts and capable of crafting nuanced responses. When dealing with strategic challenges from Russia and China, women’s voices can enrich diplomacy by highlighting the human dimensions of global competition.
Some NATO countries do have women in powerful positions—Italy and Denmark have female prime ministers, and women hold influential cabinet roles across the alliance. Yet the absence of women as heads of state, whether ceremonial or executive, is both symbolic and substantive.
Heads of state shape national identity on the world stage. They receive foreign dignitaries, deliver national addresses and embody their people’s values. That no woman holds this role in any NATO member state underlines not only gender imbalance but also the persistence of tradition in modern governance.
It is a missed opportunity. Research consistently shows that inclusive leadership improves outcomes in conflict resolution, peace-building and diplomacy. Representation at the highest level matters—for institutional legitimacy and for inspiring the next generation of leaders.
As NATO meets to navigate an unsettled security landscape, it must also look inwards. An alliance that defends democratic values should reflect those values in its leadership. The absence of women at the highest levels is not a crisis, but it is a clear signal that true equity remains unfinished, even within the world’s most powerful alliance.
And in a city such as The Hague—long a symbol of peace, justice and stability—this absence is especially striking. If NATO seeks a safer, more stable world, its leadership must begin to look more like the people it claims to protect.__This is an article of the Friday Times Pakistan on 26.06.2025
