Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on milestones in political leadership and gender equality. It asks about the first woman in the modern world to serve as head of government, that is, as prime minister or an equivalent executive leader. Identifying this person helps students understand how representation of women in the highest political offices has evolved and highlights a historic achievement from South Asia in the field of democratic politics.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question is about a modern world first in political leadership.
- It specifies woman head of government, not head of state.
- Options list several prominent women leaders from different countries and times.
- The learner is expected to know which leader held office earlier than the others.
Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the distinction between head of state and head of government and the chronological order in which famous women leaders came to power. Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, became the world first woman prime minister in nineteen sixty. Leaders like Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Isabel Peron, and Margaret Thatcher took office later. Therefore, to answer correctly, one must recall that Sirimavo Bandaranaike holds this particular distinction as the first woman in the modern world to head a government as prime minister.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Focus on the phrase modern world first woman head of government, which refers to the earliest example.
2. Recall that Sirimavo Bandaranaike became prime minister of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in nineteen sixty.
3. Check approximate dates for other options. Indira Gandhi became prime minister of India later in the nineteen sixties, Golda Meir became prime minister of Israel in the nineteen seventies, and Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom in nineteen seventy nine.
4. Isabel Peron became president of Argentina in the nineteen seventies, after her husband death, and thus also later than Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
5. Conclude that Sirimavo Bandaranaike is the earliest and therefore the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, learners can recall that many general knowledge books clearly state that Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world first woman prime minister. These books often highlight Sri Lanka for this pioneering achievement. In comparison, Indira Gandhi is frequently described as the first woman prime minister of India, not of the world, while Thatcher is described as the first woman prime minister of Britain. Standard timelines in history textbooks confirm that Sirimavo entered office before these other leaders, so the identification as modern world first woman head of government is accurate in the context of such exams.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Indira Gandhi is an iconic leader but became prime minister of India in nineteen sixty six, several years after Sirimavo Bandaranaike took office in Ceylon.
Isabel Peron became president of Argentina in the nineteen seventies after the death of Juan Peron and is therefore not the earliest woman head of government in the modern world.
Golda Meir served as prime minister of Israel beginning in nineteen sixty nine, which is also later than nineteen sixty.
Margaret Thatcher became the first woman prime minister of the United Kingdom in nineteen seventy nine, long after Sirimavo Bandaranaike had already served in Sri Lanka.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes select Indira Gandhi because she is very well known in Indian history and widely covered in textbooks. Others may choose Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir due to their high international visibility, ignoring the actual chronological order. To avoid such confusion, it is important to remember that Sri Lanka achieved this milestone first, with Sirimavo Bandaranaike becoming prime minister in nineteen sixty. Linking her name with the phrase world first woman prime minister is the most reliable way to answer similar questions accurately.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
Discussion & Comments