If the significant roles women are currently playing in the realm of public service and politics is a valid measurement, they might have lived up to the title of a very popular song, Who Run the World?, by singer Beyonce.

In Hong Kong, for instance, women hold many leadership positions both in the government and in political parties. They include Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the chief secretary for administration, as well as Starry Lee Wai-king, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Emily Lau Wai-hing - the leaders of the Democratic Alliance for the Better and Progress of Hong Kong, New People's Party and Democratic Party, respectively. In fact, it is not unlikely that by next year, or in the near future, Hong Kong could have its first female Chief Executive.

Women are doing just as well in the international arena. Take, for example, the hottest topic this summer in Europe, other than the temperature and violence, which has undoubtedly been Brexit. And the process of implementing this historic event has been spearheaded by Theresa May, the recently elected prime minister of the United Kingdom, and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. At their July 20 meeting, Merkel backed May's decision to wait until next year before starting the formal process of leaving the EU, despite pressure from others in Europe for a speedier exit. This is an amazing example of two well respected "iron ladies" at work.

Likewise, in Asia, one of the most heated political incidents recently has been the announcement by South Korea and the United States earlier this month that they have decided to deploy an advanced American missile defense system in the South to "guard against aggression from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", despite strong protests from China, which sees this as a threat to its own security. Once again, President Park Geun-hye is clearly a key person in making the decision.

In Burma, its de facto president, Aung San Suu Kyi, a greatly respected leader and Nobel Peace laureate, has the ability to change the economy and political position of her country, as well as those neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, etc. She has been globally influential for decades and recently was invited to visit China and the US. She could therefore play an important role in shaping the relationships between China, the US and the ASEAN nations.

In Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, the recently elected leader of the island, faces many political issues, not the least of which is the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. In addition, her policy and direction toward a future relationship with the mainland could greatly impact the prosperity and stability of Taiwan and surrounding regions for decades to come.

As important, Peng Liyuan, undoubtedly the most charismatic, elegant and cultured first lady in China's history, will unquestionably remain a major force in facilitating the "China dream" of fostering peace and harmony of the world, as well as in other matters of global importance.

Finally, in the Americas, President Dilma Vana Rousseff of Brazil, in spite of her current political difficulties, must be applauded for fostering the FIFA World Cup to Brazil in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016!

And, should Hillary Clinton be elected president this November, she would be the first woman ever to be the leader of the United States. Women might then fulfill the notion of "holding up more than half the sky".

Whether women are better political leaders has been a millennial debate, and is beyond the scope of this article. However, women are arguably more compassionate and conciliatory than men - qualities that are increasingly important in today's increasingly violent world.

And Beyonce might be right: Who run the world? Ladies!

(HK Edition 07/29/2016 page7)