Equality is a funny thing. Everybody wants it but not everyone is willing to give it. This year may herald more female global leaders than ever before as Merkel, May and possibly Hilary Clinton take control of three of the world's top five economies.

It is a significant step for gender equality in a world where women are, on average, still paid less than men for doing the same job. And yet, as Hilary Clinton formally accepted her nomination as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States - making history and becoming, in the words of many commentators, “a role model for women in a way the goes beyond all of her achievements” - it became clear that it is not her mind that’s exciting the electorate but rather that which lies between her legs.

Much like Prime Minister Theresa May, being a woman is evidently part of Clinton’s appeal as a candidate because it veers away from the traditional patriarchal dynasties that have existed before her. But if these political hens are laying the eggs of equality for generations of women to come, should we not demand more from them than just their power dressing and contrary to the norm genitals?

Traipsing the streets of Watford and demanding to know what women thought of our very own Theresa May, the overwhelming majority responded with some acknowledgement that ‘at least we have a woman in charge now’ but knew very little about what she stands for or what she intends to do. In fact, many women were far more able to discuss Clinton’s power suits, Theresa’s kitten heels and Merkel’s palette of Pantone jackets than they were their policies. Thus the great gender divide goes on as we choose to support a candidate not on substance but rather on a biological composition that is not of their choosing.

- Nicola Keaney is a writer and foreign news journalist living in St Albans.