Woman power has always been underestimated by men, but women have never failed to rise to the occasion as shown by history. Women have gone to space and have led nations.

Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, Wilma Mankiller, Dr Mae Jemison and Rosa Parks were a force to be reckoned with in their time.

Jemison became the first woman of colour to go into space, Bhutto in 1988 became prime minister of Pakistan, making her the first woman to head the government of an Islamic state.

However, such achievements make little difference to some including Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob. The chauvinist Adnan seems to have taken great pride in stating that Malaysia is not ready for a woman prime minister ( New Straits Times , July 25).