In a couple of years, it is entirely possible that the presidents of France and the US and the chancellor of Germany will all be women. Ségolène Royal’s success in securing the French Socialist party’s nomination for next year’s presidential election is evidence of a historic shift. Women may no longer be at a disadvantage when they stand for the highest political offices in the western world. In fact, being a woman can now be a considerable electoral asset.

Previous generations of women leaders had to play down their femininity. Margaret Thatcher and Golda Meir needed to show they were tougher than the men surrounding them. Meir is said to have remarked that: “I’m the only one in this cabinet with any balls.”