Forbes 2016 Most Powerful Women: President Ameenah Gurib- Fakim makes it on list

The President of the Republic, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, is part of Forbes 2016 List of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. The Mauritian President is ranked 96 on the list which honours women, thus joining German Chancellor Angela Merkel, number-one Power Woman for six years in a row. President Gurib-Fakim is ranked third on the African continent after Nigerian Folorunsho Alakija, who is ranked 80, and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, from Liberia, positioned at 83rd. With the advent of more women behind the Presidential desk, a host of celebrities came off the list this year and new leaders replaced icons, with new countries joining the list such as Mauritius, Myanmar, Scotland, Nepal, Croatia, Lithuania, and Taiwan. These are some of the countries gaining representation in this year’s list, due to a visible increase in women leaders being elected to President or head of State with the potential to wield their influence both nationally and globally. Four metrics were used as is the case each year, namely: money (either net worth, company revenues, or GDP); media presence; spheres of influence; and impact, analysed both within the context of each woman’s field (media, technology, business, philanthropy, politics, and finance) and outside of it.

Being powerful as a woman

To a Forbes question about whether power is about control or influence, President Gurib-Fakim, believes it is the latter. “People say to have power, you hire and you fire. I don’t subscribe to this notion. For me, power is the ability to influence. If you can influence in the long-term by leaving behind a legacy, to me, that’s real power,” she states. Moreover, Forbes highlights the career of the Mauritian President as a biodiversity scientist and her work in advancing awareness of global warming and promoting new investments in science and technology in Mauritius and on the African continent. She is already making strides on both fronts, including partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to pilot 10 PhD research grants on the island, with plans to expand the programme to as many as 10,000 other scientists across Africa in the future.

Topping the List

German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues to head the list, followed closely by Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, number two; Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen; philanthropist Melinda Gates; and General Motors GM +1.32% CEO Mary Barra. International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde retains her spot at number six.