Our study examines the effects of mergers and acquisitions deals on the relationship between female leadership and dividend strategies for 90 UK listed firms during the period 2006-2016. Results indicate that firms with a larger proportion of female directors serving on the board are more likely to pay higher dividends, but this positive finding is weaker when the firms experienced a higher number of mergers and acquisitions deals. Interestingly, extended analyses on female directors' positions show the opposing effects of female Chairmen and female CEOs on a firm's payout strategies. Although a female Chairman is associated with higher dividend payout levels, a female CEO shows an adverse impact. Yet these results tend to be reversed for firms with more merger and acquisition transactions. Our findings make a significant contribution to a trendy but relatively limited and inconclusive topic that links gender diversity to scrutiny intensity.