Harris’ loss marks setback for women in US politics: Factbox

Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 US presidential election, following her loss to Donald Trump, represents a significant setback for women in American politics, according to Factbox.

For the second time in US history, a woman has run as the nominee of a major party for president—and, for the second time, she has lost.

Harris, who had made history as the first woman and first woman of colour to serve as vice president, was unable to overcome Trump’s Republican campaign, despite a concerted effort to unite voters around issues such as economic recovery and reproductive rights.

Her defeat mirrors the historic loss of Hillary Clinton in 2016, who, despite winning the popular vote, was defeated by Trump in the Electoral College.

Harris conceded the 2024 US presidential race on Wednesday at Howard University, delivering an address to supporters.

She congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and affirmed her commitment to a peaceful transition, adding a poignant reminder of the importance of democracy’s core principles.

Factors behind Harris’ loss

The reasons for Harris’s loss are complex.

An Edison Research exit poll revealed that voter concerns about the state of the economy and financial security were central to the election results.

In addition, an October Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 55% of voters believed sexism remained a significant problem in US politics, with 15% of those surveyed saying they would not feel comfortable voting for a female president.

These attitudes are compounded by the challenge women face in closing the gender gap in pay and political representation.

Despite these obstacles, Harris’s candidacy highlighted the increasing political participation of women and people of color in US politics.

In the 2022-24 US Congress, women made up 28% of the total membership, and women of color now comprise over a third of female lawmakers.

However, the path to the presidency remains elusive for women, with every US president to date being male.

Sexism and Challenges for Female Political Leaders

The political landscape for women in the US continues to be shaped by systemic challenges.

Although women represent 51% of the US population, they still lag behind men in terms of political representation and pay. Women in leadership positions across both public and private sectors remain underrepresented.

In 2023, women earned 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, with women of color facing an even larger wage gap.

Kamala Harris’s loss underscores the difficulties women continue to face in breaking through the highest levels of political office.

If elected, Harris would have been the first woman president and the first woman of color to occupy the White House.

The Road Ahead for Women in Politics

While the loss is a blow to those advocating for gender equality in US politics, it also reflects the ongoing struggles women face in overcoming both overt and subtle biases.

The path forward for women in politics remains uncertain, but Harris’s campaign has brought important issues such as economic inequality, reproductive rights, and racial justice to the forefront.

Barack Hussein Obama stands as the sole exception in US history, being the only non-white male elected to the country’s highest office in 2008 and re-elected in 2012.

Harris’s place in history as the first woman vice president marks a pivotal moment in US politics.

Similarly, Hillary Clinton’s role as the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket laid the groundwork for future female candidates.

As the nation reflects on Harris’s loss, many hope that it will not mark the end of women’s pursuit of the presidency.