Whether a political leader can be a woman or not is hotly debated among Islamic scholars. Not so among Christian leaders. The trend is for more women leaders in the west, and fewer among muslim majority countries. One of Canada's Prime Ministers was a woman, Kim Campbell. In August 1993, a Gallup Canada poll showed Campbell as having a 51 percent approval rating, which placed her as Canada's most popular prime ministers in 30 years.  In the US, no strong, likable female leader has emerged. When one does, no doubt she will elected. There have been 6 leaders of muslim nations, Megawati of Indonesia, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Khaleda Zia, of Bangladesh, Tansu Çiller of Turkey, Hasina Wajed of Bangladesh and Mame Madior Boye of Senegal, all relatively recent. Much lower percent than in the west. Expect the gap to grow.