Bermuda’s female business professionals have voiced their astonishment and dismay at Donald Trump’s victory in the United States election.

The reality star turned Republican nominee was named the country’s 45th president early yesterday morning, despite running a campaign rife with rancour and controversy.

President-elect Trump has faced repeated accusations of misogynistic behaviour and displaying a hostile attitude towards females.

Incidents have included a video leak in which the one-time Apprentice star boasted of groping women, a former beauty queen claiming he called her “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping”, and more than a dozen women stepping forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct.

“Female or male, we’re all shocked that Donald Trump is the new president of the United States. It’s unknown territory right now,” said Denise O’Donoghue, head of investments and treasury at Lancashire Group insurance firm.

“He’s going to divide the country on many issues, and gender is just one of them. I think his ability to win, despite having made those comments about women, speaks loudly.”

However, Ms O’Donoghue suggested that the 70-year-old New Yorker’s rise to power could prove unwittingly motivational in the struggle for gender parity.

“Hopefully his presidency will only strengthen the battle against inequality,” she said.

Nathalie Rushe, principal at Rushe Capital Advisors consulting firm, called the election result “a huge setback” for the United States.

“I’m very upset. No matter how people felt about Hillary Clinton, I just assumed they would vote against evil. But I was wrong,” she added.

Ms Rushe said she was “deeply saddened” that President-elect Trump’s supporters had voted not just against females, but against African-Americans, Muslims, the LGBT community, immigrants and the disabled as well.

“As a woman, I take it very personally that people were misogynistic enough to vote for Trump, but I’m more worried about the plight of minorities,” she said.

“We’ll have to see what happens. Trump doesn’t have too much power on his own, which helps, and although I think he’s evil, I don’t think he’s particularly bright.”

Christie Hunter Arscott, a gender and generational strategist, said that it was imperative to “move forward” from the result in a positive, structured and unified manner, thereby turning “grief into action”.

“I’m committed to not losing momentum or faith, and to pushing our gender-equity agenda forward,” said Ms Hunter Arscott, a World Economic Forum global shaper who divides her time between Bermuda and the United States.

“This is not just for an elite few women, but for all females — regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or socio-economic or immigration status.”

Sylvia Oliveira, CEO of Wilton Reinsurance Bermuda Ltd, said she was “completely shocked” by the outcome of the election, and that she had struggled to explain it to her children.

“As an American, I was sure we’d be celebrating our first female president today. Instead our leader will be a man who shows very little respect for females.” she said.

“I feel like this is a step backwards for gender and racial equality, and I’m deeply disappointed.”