Leading ladies of 2012

With the advance of women's movements, female voices carry an increasingly noticeable strength in family as well as social aspects, and are becoming ever-more vital to a nation. The presence of women in roles of political leadership has soared to challenge the views on the traditional female role. Here, China.org.cn profiles ten women that have shaped global politics in 2012.

1. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

Angela Merkel was elected first female chancellor of Germany in 2005 and re-elected as the country's chancellor in 2009. She has been described as "the de facto leader of the European Union."

Merkel currently ranks as the world's second most powerful person by Forbes magazine, coming in right behind U.S. President Barack Obama, and gaining her the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman.

2. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand

After the 2011 general election, successful businesswoman Yingluck Shinawatra followed in the footsteps of her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra as Thailand's prime minister.

Yingluck, aged 45, is the first female Thai prime minister and the youngest one in over the past six decades.

3. Cristina Kirchner, President of Argentina

Cristina Kirchner, the widow of former President Néstor Kirchner, became Argentina's first elected female president in 2007 and was sworn in for a second term in 2011.

Kirchner ranked thirteenth on Forbes' list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2008, and placed fourth on Time magazine's list of Top 10 Female Leaders of the World in 2010.

4. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil

Dilma Rousseff rose to Brazilian presidency in January 2011, after previously serving as chief of staff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for six years (2005-2010). She is the first elected female president in the history of the Latin American country.

Rousseff was placed 16th on Forbes' list of Most Powerful People in the World in 2010, and got ranked third on Forbes' list of Most Powerful Women in the World in 2011-coming in only behind Angela Merkel and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

5. Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia

Julia Gillard, a Welsh-born lawyer, became Australia's first female prime minister in June 2010, after ousting former PM Kevin Rudd in a surprise leadership challenge.

She was re-sworn in as prime minister in September 2010, following the 2010 Federal Election.