‘Why is it necessary to mention that a politician is a woman? We don’t do that for men, do we?’, asks political scientist at the University of Amsterdam Zahra Runderkamp. According to her, these subtle forms of sexism unconsciously influence how we assess female politicians.
As Kamala Harris is now a presidential candidate, she is subjected to a flood of sexist remarks. She is accused of having slept her way to the top and of owing her career to her previous relationship with Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco. However, it’s not just the headline-grabbing comments rooted in stereotypes that are problematic. ‘These are often less obvious but still sexist remarks. A subtle way to exclude or undermine someone’, explains Runderkamp. For instance, Harris is frequently referred to by her first name, whereas Trump is not. This subtle difference illustrates how female politicians are approached differently than their male counterparts.
Appearance more important than substance
What Harris is experiencing is an example of a broader pattern that female politicians face worldwide: subtle forms of sexism that undermine their credibility. This inequality is also evident in how their appearance and demeanor often receive more attention than their political ideas. ‘A male politician simply puts on his suit in the morning and that’s fine. A female politician has to think about every detail’, says Runderkamp. Whether or not you have that appearance is a fine line. ‘The way you smile can determine whether you’re seen as sweet or a bitch’, she adds.
Media reinforce stereotypes
‘Media reinforce stereotypes’, says Runderkamp. ‘By constantly writing about “female politicians’’ instead of “politicians’’, it never becomes normalized that women are in politics. We don’t do that with men.’ According to Runderkamp, the focus should shift from gender to the content of their work. ‘Write an article about the political content they have to offer, instead of about their personal life.’
While Runderkamp acknowledges the role of visibility and the importance of female politicians like Kamala Harris being role models, she emphasizes that there needs to be a balance between visibility and substance. ‘We need to be aware of subtle sexism and assess female politicians based on their abilities, not their appearance or gender.’
