"Women are better than us": what Obama said about political leadership

At an event in Singapore, Barack Obama said, " Now, women, I just want you to know; you're not perfect, but what I can definitely say is that you're better than us (men)."

Singapore:

Former US President Barack Obama said on Monday that if women lead all countries in the world, there would be an overall improvement in living standards and outcomes.

Speaking at a private leadership event in Singapore, Obama said during his term that he had thought about what a world headed by women would look like, reports the BBC.

The former leader said that women were not perfect, but that they were "unquestionably better" than men, adding that most of the problems in the world came from elderly people, mostly men, who held positions of power.

"Now, women, I just want you to know; you're not perfect, but what I can say indisputably is that you're better than us (men)," said Obama.

"I am absolutely confident that for two years, if every nation on Earth were led by women, you would see a significant improvement in just about everything ... standard of living and outcomes."

When asked whether he would ever consider returning to the political leadership, the former president said he believed the leaders would withdraw when the time came.

"It is important that political leaders try to remember that you are here to do a job, but you are not here for life, you are not here to support your own sense of importance on your own power," said the BBC. quoted Obama as saying.

Since leaving the White House, he and former First Lady Michelle Obama have created a foundation to mentor young leaders from around the world.

The couple was in Kuala Lumpur last week for an Obama Foundation event.