Is Europe paving the way for a rise amongst female leaders worldwide? Though not as emphatic a victory as she had hoped for, Angela Merkel’s re-election for her fourth term as German chancellor last week, reinforces her position as arguably the most powerful woman in Europe. Despite a historic breakthrough by the the far-right, Merkel’s position as a well-respected leader of an economically thriving Germany has secured her place as not just the first female German Chancellor, but also one of the longest serving. Though politically regressive on many issues such as gay-rights (having voted against the recent same-sex marriage act), there is no doubting the respect she has gained, not just nationally, but worldwide as a symbol of female power. She is seen by most European nations as the figurehead of the alliance, and with the recent election of Donald Trump, she is even being labelled by some as the new ‘leader of the free world’. If nothing else, the symbolism accompanied by the image of her as a beacon of femininity in what remains globally, a male dominated sphere holds an incredible amount of weight and levity. With just 15 female leaders accounted for worldwide, representing fewer than 10% of 193 UN member states, Merkel’s re-appointment holds all the more significance.
Photo Credit: G20 Germany [https://www.g20.org/Webs/G20]
However, a growing trend in Europe signals a positive shift, with a rise in other female heads of government across the continent; from Poland with the election of Beata Szydło in 2015, Norway with Erna Solberg, prime minister since 2013, and of course closer to home in the UK, with Prime Minister Theresa May and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. Though politically opposed, May and Sturgeon share, what is often seen as the burden of being a woman in the largely male sphere of politics. A dedication by both of these women to be viewed and judged on an equal playing field to their male counterparts is a reassuring sign of progression, with the two most powerful women in the UK taking this opportunity to defend one another against the bigoted sexism they are still unfortunately confronted with. Back in March of this year Nicola Sturgeon accused the Daily Mail of regressive, 1970s attitudes after they published a photo of the two women meeting, under the headline “Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!”.
Photo Credit: [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/mar/28/daily-mail-legs-it-front-p…
Whilst still maintaining and not down-playing her pro-European stance opposition to May, a spokesperson for Sturgeon added that “Brexit may risk taking Britain back to the early 1970s, but there is no need for coverage of events to lead the way”. This act of professionality and civility between the two women, highlights just how important it is that women in positions such as theirs, create a precedent against the sexist tirade they sadly often face. Sturgeon’s ability to shut-down this reductive and offensive headline whilst still upholding her opposing stance against May politically, also demonstrates that there is a need for positive reinforcement between women in this field that can cross political boundaries.
In a Europe and EU self-labelled as a progressive alliance, the recent inclination towards placing women in principal positions of authority, signals an optimistic shift in wider feminist attitudes from the public. However, though this encouraging trend in Europe indicates a positive change, the credit for this recent success can be attributed largely to the women’s own initiative rather than to improvements within governments themselves, as a lack of systematic change has repeatedly failed to address the gender gap in political spheres. Though progress may at times seem slow and lacks support from the institutions themselves, it is surely an emboldening and reassuring sight to see so many women leading the way in Europe. The evidence that a trickle-down effect occurs once women gain places in the highest standings of society, is widely accepted. Therefore, for the inspiration of young girls in particular, it is vital that we recognise the importance of the responsibility leaders such as Merkel, May and Sturgeon have to present themselves as strong, positive and unapologetic female role models.