First ladies aren't just there to stand by their husbands

The first lady of Chile, the primera dama, has resigned from her duties, claiming the role of presidential spouse reeked of sexism and nepotism.

- SALMA SHAH

It is unsurprising that a modern presidential couple in their thirties who are well-educated and left wing would take this position. Irina Karamanos is a woman in her own right and doesn't need to be defined by her husband's job.

It's quite laudable. In a country where former first ladies, like General Pinochet's wife Lucia Hiriart, wielded enormous influence it's also politically smart to not look like you might be running the show from the shadows. But the first lady doesn't always have to behave like Lady Macbeth. Sometimes, it's actually quite an important national service in its own right.

Take the horrifying and heartfelt testimony of Ms Zelensky this week, urging the world to treat the systematic rape of Ukrainians as a war crime. She is running an international relay race with her husband and has no choice but to do it. Few have had to step up to fight for their country like Vlodomyr Zelensky's better half.