Democratic countries where human rights are respected, women are able to reach top positions in society. Over the years women have taken over leadership positions be it in the political or corporate world, shattering glass ceilings and becoming powerful and influential in the process. Some women are using their positions and influence to create change through their businesses, nonprofits and philanthropic work. Each year, the American business magazine Forbes compiles an annual list of the most powerful women in the world. From running big corporations to reengineering politics, these influential women are making history.
Here are the top 20 most powerful women in the world.
| Rank | Name | Position |
| 1. | Kamala Harris | Vice President of the United States |
| 2. | Ursula von der Leyen | President of the European Commission |
| 3. | Christine Lagarde | President of the European Central Bank |
| 4. | Angela Merkel | Former Chancellor of Germany |
| 5. | Melinda Gates | American philanthropist |
| 6. | Mary Barra | CEO of General Motors |
| 7. | Nancy Pelosi | Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives |
| 8. | Ana Patricia Botín | Executive Chairman of the Santander Group |
| 9. | Abigail Johnson | CEO of Fidelity Investments |
| 10. | Gail Boudreaux | CEO of Anthem |
| 11. | Carol Tomé | CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS) |
| 12. | Emma Walmsley | CEO of GlaxoSmithKline |
| 13. | Susan Wojcicki | CEO of YouTube |
| 14. | Julie Sweet | CEO of Accenture |
| 15. | Safra Catz | CEO of Oracle |
| 16. | Ruth Porat | CFO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google |
| 17. | Judith McKenna | President and CEO, Walmart International |
| 18. | Kristalina Georgieva | Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund |
| 19. | Martina Merz | CEO of ThyssenKrupp |
| 20. | Oprah Winfrey | American media mogul |
