It’s a harsh life for women in politics

Female politicians carry entire gender, writes Sydney Sharpe.

It is, and always has been, a harder life for women than for men in Canadian politics.

The appearance and politics of female politicians generate comments both vicious and crude in the bleaker corners of social media.

Weight becomes both a personal and political issue — but only for women. Overweight men in politics aren’t squeezed through the public wringer.

But women, from the late federal minister Judy LaMarsh, to Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, are politically brutalized. Vile attacks on women’s bodies and abilities seem to know no bounds.

Women who are beautiful or, heaven forbid, blond and beautiful, fare equally badly. Their “sexiness” swamps their intellectual skills.

The entire culture of power, including the media, tends to fall into this trap.

Ottawa’s Hill Times offers the annual sexiest female and male MPs in its Politically Savvy Survey. Even though it’s “tongue- in- cheek,” this works differently for women than men.

Men can growl and laugh it off, but somehow the label sticks for women. Oh, she’s sexy and smart too. After this dubious award, so- called women winners must work doubly hard to build their brand and be taken seriously.

This does nothing to counter the problems of women in power, and everything to make politics a millstone for women to wear. Female politicians are forced to carry the entire gender along with them. This does not happen to men. The burden can be crushing.

The swearing in of the Alberta legislature will hopefully build a new template for women politicians — although, as the case of Jordan Lien and his shaming of the health minister shows, overtly sexist reactions could also escalate with a female premier and her strong female caucus.

There’s no doubt that the election of Rachel Notley is a tremendous sign of hope. The majority of Albertans simply don’t seem to care about gender when they vote.

Polls showed no sharp gender differences in support for the NDP.

Still, the image strongly remains of what the woman politician should and should not be, even among those who vote for women.

Should she raise her voice or yell, a woman is considered aggressive, or worse, hysterical. Should a man do the same, he is “assertive.”

A man is “bold,” while a woman is “bitchy.” He is firm, where she is temperamental. The kneejerk comparisons are as meaningless as they are endless.

The stereotypical dichotomy between acceptable male and female behaviour has been debated since the 1970s’ wave of feminism. Little changes. When men succeed, it is considered business as usual.

When they stumble or fail, their gender does not bear the brunt of their defeat.

Not so for women. Perched on the pinnacle of power, they realize it is built of sand. Women are not allowed to fail.

When former premier Alison Redford resigned her leadership amid controversy and, as auditor general Merwan Saher concluded, an “aura of power,” her downfall touched all women in politics.

There was talk that the Progressive Conservative party would not accept a woman as leader for many years. Jim Prentice handily won the PC leadership over his two male opponents.

When Opposition Wildrose leader Danielle Smith and other caucus members crossed the legislature floor to join the PCs, the country was shocked.

The move backfired and the Alberta anger toward Smith was palpable. She wore the betrayal. Just two women were elected to the 21- member opposition Wildrose caucus on May 5.

Yet gender was never considered a stumbling block after male leaders foundered. Former premier Jim Prentice fronted a bizarre campaign of despair that sparked the stunning collapse of the PC dynasty. Only one PC woman — and eight men — managed to survive the 2015 election.

In no way was that perceived as men’s inability to govern.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and B. C. Premier Christy Clark are breaking down stereotypes of leadership. So too will Notley. Her unique style resembles more the charisma of Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, with even a populist touch of the late premier Ralph Klein.

All these women leaders show that the successful political template is built on principle, conviction, charisma and resilience.

Hopefully, the new political template will trash the trolls who hide behind the social media curtain.

When men succeed, it is considered business as usual. When they stumble or fail, their gender does not bear the brunt of their defeat. Not so for women. ... Women are not allowed to fail. Sydney Sharpe