Study shows high numbers: four out of ten politicians complain about sexism

Study shows high numbers
Four out of ten politicians complain about sexism

Whether it’s derogatory remarks or inappropriate contact, sexism in politics is a bipartisan problem. A study shows that 40 percent of women in political office experience sexism – a change in culture is needed.

Four out of ten politicians in Germany complain about experiences of sexism in everyday life. This is the result of a study by the Allensbach Institute for the European Academy for Women in Politics and Business (EAF Berlin). Younger women are particularly hard hit.

40 percent of the politicians surveyed said they had experienced sexual harassment before. Among the under 45-year-olds it is even 60 percent. Women across the spectrum of parties are affected. For the study, the Allensbach Institute questioned more than 800 officials or mandate holders from the federal, state and local governments.

The authors of the study counted sexual harassment inappropriately touching, but also sexist remarks. “Inappropriate, lewd remarks about appearance, figure or clothing have been reported across parties,” it said. Sexual harassment and sexist slogans would occur on all political levels. A cultural change in politics was therefore called for.

According to the study, this is made more difficult by the fact that women continue to be underrepresented in political offices. This is particularly true at the municipal level. Not even a third of the city and local councils are women, 90 percent of the top positions in cities and municipalities are held by men.

The former FDP general secretary Linda Teuteberg told the ARD that the topic of sexism accompanied her through her entire political career up to the FDP federal executive committee. “It is the case that women are often assumed to be somehow less serious or less competent, also because of their appearance,” criticized Teuteberg.

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