As an expert in political history, I am well-versed in the milestones of global leadership, including the groundbreaking achievements of women who have ascended to the highest offices of their respective nations. One such milestone is the election of the world's first female prime minister, a position that carries significant responsibility and influence in shaping the policies and direction of a country.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike, born on April 17, 1916, in Ratnapura, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve as a prime minister in the world. She rose to this esteemed position following the assassination of her husband, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, who was the prime minister of Ceylon at the time. After his tragic death in 1959, Sirimavo was persuaded by members of her husband's party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), to take up the mantle of leadership.

Her tenure as prime minister was marked by several significant events and policy implementations. She was a staunch socialist and continued her husband's policies of nationalizing key sectors of the economy, such as banking and insurance. However, her time in office was not without challenges. Within a year of her election victory in 1960, she declared a state of emergency due to a civil disobedience campaign by the minority Tamil population, who were outraged by her decision to make Sinhala the sole official language, a move they perceived as discriminatory.

Despite these challenges, Sirimavo Bandaranaike's political career spanned over three terms as prime minister, serving from 1960 to 1965, 1970 to 1977, and finally from 1994 to 2000. Her third term was marked by a decline in her health, which led to her resignation in August 2000. She passed away two months later on October 10, 2000.

Bandaranaike's policies aimed to reduce inequality and raise the standard of living for her people. However, her pro-Buddhist and pro-Sinhalese policies had the unintended consequence of alienating the Tamil minority, which contributed to the escalation of a bloody civil war that resulted in the loss of many lives since 1983.

In addition to her political accomplishments, Sirimavo Bandaranaike's family also played a significant role in Sri Lankan politics. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, followed in her mother's footsteps and became Sri Lanka's first woman president, serving from 1994 to 2005. This political legacy demonstrates the impact one family can have on the governance and direction of a nation.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike's election as the world's first female prime minister was a landmark event that challenged the notion that Western countries were the only ones making strides in gender equality. Her leadership, though not without controversy, paved the way for other women to seek and attain high office, breaking through the glass ceiling that had long kept women out of the highest echelons of political power.

In conclusion, Sirimavo Bandaranaike's legacy as the first female prime minister is a testament to the progress that can be made when women are given the opportunity to lead. Her career, marked by both achievements and challenges, serves as an inspiration for future generations of women in politics and beyond.

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Sirimavo BandaranaikeSirimavo Bandaranaike became the first women PM in the world. She became the PM of Sri Lanka(then Ceylon). Originally Answered: Who was the first female prime minister? Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world's first female prime minister(Sri Lanka).She served from 21 July 1960 to 25 March 1965.read more >>