German politician Baerbock denounces sexism in German work culture and careers
In a striking revelation, Germany's Federal Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock (Greens), has highlighted a series of structural problems that she believes hinder the political participation and representation of women in the country. These issues, she says, revolve around age, children, and societal perceptions.
Baerbock's concerns were raised during her inaugural visit to Brussels, when she was asked about her ability to do the job with two small children. This question, she believes, reveals a potential double standard in Germany regarding women in high-profile roles and motherhood. In an interesting comparison, the Belgian Foreign Minister, who was also briefly the country's Prime Minister and has four children, was never asked if she could handle her tasks.
Baerbock sees her frequent reference as a "student speaker" due to her age as another structural problem in Germany. She has expressed concerns about ageism and sexism in her professional role, pointing out that she is of average age in other European countries.
The Belgian Foreign Minister provided an international comparison in response to Baerbock's concerns, suggesting that Germany may be more critical of women in high-profile roles who have children compared to other countries. Baerbock drew a conclusion from this comparison, stating that if women are made to believe they can't have a top job and children, it could contribute to Germany's low birth rate.
The question about Baerbock's ability to do the job with two small children was posed by other female foreign ministers, underscoring the broader societal discourse on ageism and sexism in her professional role. Baerbock has spoken about the challenges and stereotypes she faces in her role as Federal Foreign Minister.
The discussion about the question of children is part of a broader societal discourse on ageism and sexism in Baerbock's professional role. This discourse is not unique to Germany, as civil society organisations, especially women-focused groups, across Europe experience similar challenges. These organisations often struggle with financial insecurity and limited inclusion in policymaking, restricting their ability to advocate for gender equality effectively.
Political fragmentation and a rise of parties with different views on gender politics, such as the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, further complicate the landscape for increasing women’s representation in Germany.
The event "Female Future Force Day," organised by the Funke Media Group, serves as a platform to address these issues and promote the inclusion of women in politics. Baerbock participated in this event, speaking about the need to break down these barriers and advance female political participation amid wider societal challenges, including rising far-right influence.
In conclusion, the core structural problems for female politicians in Germany relate to work-life balance impeded by age and children, discriminatory selection practices, and societal norms, alongside fragmented political and civil society landscapes that complicate sustained gender equality progress. It is hoped that through open discussions and concerted efforts, these barriers can be addressed and female political representation can be improved in Germany and beyond.
[1] https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/politik/frauen-in-der-politik-zur-sprecherin-der-studentinnen-und-zur-frage-der-kinder-25218286.html [2] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/baerbock-kritisiert-die-frage-ob-sie-mit-den-kindern-im-amt-leben-kann/27280022.html [3] https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2021-10/deutschland-wahlkampf-wahl-2021-wagenknecht-allianz-grune [4] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/deutschland-kann-nicht-ohne-weibliche-politiker-leben-a-3f7121e8-984b-474a-b24f-9a366f422306
- In her role as Federal Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock has discussed the structural problem of ageism and sexism that affects her professional life, highlighting her frequent reference as a "student speaker" due to her age.
- Baerbock has also raised concerns about gender politics in policy and legislation, specifically the potential double standard in Germany regarding women in high-profile roles and motherhood, as she was asked about her ability to do the job with two small children while her Belgian counterpart was not.
- Civil society organizations, especially women-focused groups across Europe, face similar challenges as they grapple with financial insecurity and limited inclusion in policymaking, which hinder their ability to advocate for gender equality effectively.
- The event "Female Future Force Day," organized by the Funke Media Group, aims to address these issues and promote the inclusion of women in politics, as it is crucial for Germany's political landscape to break down barriers and advance female political participation amidst wider societal challenges.
