Kamala Harris’ loss is another setback for US women in politics

For the second time in U.S. history, a major party nominated a woman for president and for the second time she lost. Democrat Kamala Harris’ election loss to Republican Donald Trump on Tuesday followed Hillary Clinton’s loss to him in 2016.

Reasons for Harris’ loss were many – an Edison Research exit poll showed deep concerns about the state of the economy and people’s financial situation was a driving factor.

But sexism persists. An October Reuters/Ipsos poll found a 55% majority of registered voters said sexism was a major problem in the U.S., while 15% said they would not be comfortable voting for a female president.

Women head governments in 13 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, although the number of countries that have had female leaders has risen steadily since 1990.

In the United States, 51% of the population are women and 42% are people of color, according to the U.S. Census. American women trail men in terms of pay and representation in government and management.

CONGRESS, GOVERNORS

The 2022-24 U.S. Congress was 28% women, the highest percentage in history, and 25% of lawmakers identified as Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native or multiracial, according to Pew Research Center.

Of the 143 women in the 117th Congress, 49, or 34.3%, are women of color, the Center for American Women and Politics said.

In 1975, Ella Grasso became the first of 49 women elected governor of U.S. states, said the Center for American Women and Politics. Three women of color – SuSana Martinez and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, both of whom are Hispanic, and Nikki Haley of South Carolina, an Indian American – have served as governors, but no Black women.

WHITE HOUSE OCCUPANTS

Every one of America’s presidents has been male. Democratic former President Barack Obama was the first Black man elected to the office in 2008.

If elected, Harris would have been the first woman and first woman of color to serve as president.

Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, was the first woman to run as a major party’s nominee for president in 2016; she won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College to Trump.

Harris was the first woman vice president, having taken office in 2021 with President Joe Biden. Geraldine Anne Ferraro, a Democrat, was the first woman nominated by a major party for vice president in 1984.

PAY GAP

The progress towards closing the gender pay gap in the 20th century slowed in the 21st century. In 1982, women made 65 cents for every dollar men made; by 2002 that figure was up to 80 cents, according to Pew Research Center.

In 2023, women working fulltime year-round jobs made 84 cents for every man’s dollar, the Department of Labor reports. Black women made 69 cents for every white men’s dollar.

EDUCATION DISPARITIES

Women have been more likely to obtain a bachelor’s degree than men since 1981, according to the National Center for Education Studies. In 2019, women began making up a majority of the college-educated workforce, Pew Research Center found, a trend that has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABORTION RIGHTS

Harris was born in 1964, four years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the modern birth control pill and nine years before Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that created federal protections for abortion access.

In June 2022, the Supreme Court removed those protections, limiting access in over half of U.S. states. That makes the United States one of four countries globally to reduce legal access to abortion care, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

CEOS, BOARDROOMS

Women made up 11% of chief executives at Fortune 500 companies, Pew Research found in 2024, and 30% of Fortune 500 board members.

Across S&P 500 company boardrooms, women accounted for 34% of all directors this year, up from 33% last year and 19% in 2014, according to leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart.

A 2023 McKinsey study showed that companies with over 30% women executives were more likely to outperform companies with fewer women executives or none.

MATERNAL MORTALITY

The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal deaths of any high-income nation, and over 80% of those deaths are preventable, the Commonwealth Fund reported in 2024.

Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC and health experts attribute the inequities to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease but also structural racism, implicit bias from healthcare providers and lack of access to quality healthcare.

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.