You don’t need to change
“WHAT’S the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not,” said Canadian poet Rupi Kaur.
If ever a quote accurately described women in politics – or indeed in any sphere – it is this.
Since I was first elected, I have been fascinated by the perception of women’s strength, diplomacy and advocacy in the world of politics. Often, my quieter, more discursive and kinder approach is perceived to be weakness, rather than strength. And yet it is part of the toolbox I bring to politics as a woman.
As a new MSP, I found myself assuming that to be strong, persuasive or successful meant adopting very masculine ways of acting. Being combative, aggressive, getting the upper hand in an argument – they are not necessarily masculine or feminine traits, but they certainly don’t characterise how I behave.
Perhaps its not surprising that considering women are still a minority in frontline politics, more masculine approaches have characterised the way that we do politics. Worse than that, they are often considered to be the way to win and be successful.
How often have we assumed a louder, more aggressive, more confident voice will win a debate – despite it covering up a total lack of truth or evidence? You see that in political debates so often.
Until, that is, women demonstrated that their approach to politics was often times more impactful. Jacinda Ardern and other senior women have done much to change such perceptions.
The former prime minister of New Zealand emphasised that her approach to politics – empathetic, authentic, decisive – was different but just as powerful. And it was authentically her, as a strong, female leader. She was a leader that captured attention in the most gentle of voices, and inspired
before they will provide support is barbaric.
If we look at the horrific Emma Caldwell case that has only recently come to a conclusion more than 20 years after her murder, this shows exactly how misogyny in organisations of power is dangerous.
Fast forward to the case of Sarah Everard, which saw yet another women raped and murdered – this time by a serving police officer with a known history of sexual and violent behaviour. Her rapist and murderer could and should have been stopped long before she ever came face to face with him.
If we look to America, we can see exactly what can happen to the hard-fought rights of women when the patriarchy is in full swing.
The patriarchy poisons the hearts and minds of anyone who buys into it. It creeps through every aspect of life until challenged. Right up to the point where we see the patriarchy so engrained that some women even argue against the right of all women to choose what happens with their own bodies.
Until next year, let’s make sure we are challenging the poison everywhere we see it.