Is the absence of women in politics really a question of self-confidence? (spoiler: no)

Is the absence of women in politics really a question of self-confidence?  (spoiler: no)

According to information from France Info, the Socialist Party will launch a “Feminist Transition Commission” in the autumn to “identify talent” and encourage more women to run in the next elections. An initiative that would be part of the broader desire, within the older parties of the left such as the PS or the PCF, to break the glass ceiling and promote equality in positions of responsibility.

Just look at the side of the hemicycle to see the extent of the problem. Whether it is the parliamentary group of the Democratic and Republican Left or the leaders of the Socialist Party, the result is the same: two-thirds of the workforce is male. The old left-wing parties have struggled to renew themselves and the need is pressing, if only to be in harmony with the values ​​of equality they defend.

Towards the creation of a Transitional Feminist Commission

In an article published on May 19, France Info reveals that the PS will launch a transitional feminist commission in the autumn. The target ? Breaking the glass ceiling going” in federations, identify talent among women activists, train them, teach them how the political apparatus works to elevate them to key positions in the party, and convince them to get involved, to stand as candidates in the next elections, especially municipal and legislative ones “.

As reported by the media, the Feminist Transition Commission intends to work at different levels: in addition to aid during maternity, according to the article the first brake on investment in politics, the challenge would also be to strengthen the confidence of talents through media training or public speaking sessions to combat self-censorship and imposter syndrome that many activists would hear.

A very closed environment

Although the initiative is encouraging, it cannot stand alone: ​​it is not simply a question of self-confidence, but of a whole system designed by and for men, who are still reluctant to include their sisters today.

And for those who manage to do so despite everything, the political environment remains steeped in sexism, as demonstrated daily by the @balancetonintimidation account, which lists the hate messages received from deputies. As of November 2021, 285 female politicians had already published in The world a platform that asks ” remove perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence of political life. Widely rebroadcast, the latter then triggered a wave of testimonials on social networks, collected under the hashtag #MeTooPolitique. However, the parties struggle to question each other, especially in the face of cases of gender-based and sexual violence that continue to flourish within them.


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Source: Madmoizelle

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