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The 5 Most powerful women in the world according to Forbes

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Ursula von der Leyen talks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo by Popow/ullstein bild
Ursula von der Leyen talks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo by Popow/ullstein bild
Popow/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Globally women are still under-represented in government and business, with less than a quarter parliamentarians and just 11 heads of state. There are only 33 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, showing that while these women are at the top of their professions, the world has a long way to go.

READ MORE: Oprah Winfrey says she's glad she didn't get married

Below are the most powerful women in the world according to Forbes:

Angela Merkel

Angela is the Chancellor of Germany who is serving her 4th and last term as the leader of Europe’s largest economy.

Christine Lagarde

Christine is the President of the European Central Bank, former lawyer and the first woman to lead the ECB, IMF and become finance minister of a G8 economy.

Nancy Pelosi

Nancy is the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the highest-ranking elected woman in America, and an early campaigner for LGBT rights and AIDS victims.

Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula is a former family minister in Germany, who guaranteed child care for every child over 12 months.

Mary Barra

Mary is a CEO of General Motors, which is one of two global companies with no gender pay gap.

Compiled by Futhi Masilela

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