Women in politics (Medium)

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Beth.

Neil

And I'm Neil. Differences men and women have existed forever, but in modern times imbalances in the opportunities for men and woman have . One area where this imbalance is widest is politics.

Beth

When we think of female politicians, the names Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Indira Gandhi, or Jacinda Ardern all come to mind. But, while women make up over half world's population, only 26% of the world's politicians are women.

Neil

How much of this is because of - hatred and prejudice against women? It seems that the surprise resignation of New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, partly because of the misogynistic abuse she received online, so in this programme well be asking: why is life hard for women in politics? And, of course, well be learning some useful new vocabulary as well.

Beth

before that, I have a question for you, Neil. Britain has had three female prime ministers, all from the party. First was Margaret Thatcher, who was followed in 2016 by Theresa May, and after that by Liz Truss, resigned after only a short time in office. But for how long, exactly, was Liz Truss prime minister? Was :

a) 45 days?

b) 1 year and 45 days? or,

c) 2 years and 45 days?

Neil

think the answer is 45 days.

Beth

OK, Neil. Ill reveal the answer later. One of the biggest for female politicians is that politics has traditionally been seen as a man's world. When Margaret Thatcher became prime in 1979, she had to manage a group of men who were not used to being told what to by a woman. Here, Professor Rosie Campbell, Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, explains to BBC World programme, The Real Story, how Mrs Thatcher's solution to this problem was to appear more masculine.

Rosie Campbell

was deliberately coached to change her voice and to behave in a way that was more stereotypically masculine, at same time as presenting herself, in terms of her attire, in a very feminine way which really showed the she had to walk in order to seem strong enough to be the leader, but not subverting norms of it is to be a woman. So I think, you know, whatever you might think of Margaret Thatcher, that a very challenging tightrope walk that she had to do.

Neil

Margaret Thatcher was coached to behave more a man, for example by lowering her voice. If you are coached, you are specially trained in how to at a particular skill.

Beth

At the same time she was also advised to appear feminine, especially in attire - the clothes she wore. In trying to present both male and female sides of herself, Mrs Thatcher a tightrope - an idiom meaning to be in a difficult situation that requires carefully considered behaviour.

Neil

point is that none of these demands were made of the men in Mrs Thatcher's government. Even today, the women in politics behave or dress is commented on and criticised far more than men, with the result that women are willing to expose themselves to public scrutiny - a situation which has only got worse since the , and with it, sexist and misogynistic abuse on social media.

Beth

Paradoxically, it is often said that the of empathy and understanding - often associated with women - are most needed in politics today. According to former minister Helen Clark, who was New Zealand's first female elected leader, it's not just that women are more caring they also bring a different leadership style, as she explained to BBC World Service programme, The Real Story:

Clark

I think that women are known for more collaborative styles and politics, less likely to be the, you , top down, heavy-handed-… you know, my way or the highway, more open to evidenced debate. I think it's certainly the way that that I led. I think it also informed the priorities that I had.

Neil

Helen believes women leaders are more collaborative - they prefer working cooperatively with several people to achieve a common goal. contrasts this with a stricter, more dictatorial leadership style by using the expression, my way or the highway - idiom used as a warning that someone will only accept their way of doing things.

Beth

In fact, such dictatorial approaches has been the end of many political leaders, including Mrs Thatcher and, more recently, Liz Truss… brings me back to my question, Neil - how long did Liz Truss last as prime minister?

Neil

guess it was 45 days. Was I right?

Beth

That was... the correct answer! Liz Truss was prime for just 45 days, the shortest premiership of any British leader ever, male or female. OK, let's recap the weve learned in this programme on women in politics, starting with misogyny - the dislike or hatred of women.

Neil

If you are coached in something, you are trained or instructed in how to improve that particular skill.

Beth

Attire means the clothes you are wearing.

Neil

If you have to walk a tightrope, youre in difficult situation that requires careful behaviour.

Beth

The adjective collaborative involves several people working together for a particular .

Neil

And finally, the idiom it's my way or the highway can be used as a warning that will only accept their own way of doing things. Once again, our six minutes are up. See you soon!

Beth

Bye!