Women in politics face constant sexist attacks, proving progress is only partial
Source: Daily Bruin
By Ani Gasparyan,
The 2018 midterm elections made significant strides for the Democratic Party. But the same can’t be said for women in politics.
A record number of women ran this year and won seats in Congress. A total of 256 women ran for office and at least 123 of them have won or are expected to win. It’s easy to perceive this election as a big win for women after the 2016 presidential election, in which President Donald Trump spewed sexist commentary during his campaign and won regardless.
While this might lead many to believe that a changing tide in the political world is making politics a more inclusive space for women, that’s definitely not the case. The 2018 midterm elections were just as sexist as the ones before them, despite the number of records women have broken.
Whether it’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York congresswoman-elect, having her background called into question; Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state senator-elect, being targeted by sexist political ads; or Stacey Abrams, candidate for Georgia governor, having her qualifications called into question, women who run for office are no strangers to misogynistic backlash from their peers and the general public. And for the 123 women who are likely going to take office in 2019, that isn’t going to ease up anytime soon.
Click here to read the full article published by Daily Bruin on 6 November 2018.
By Ani Gasparyan,
The 2018 midterm elections made significant strides for the Democratic Party. But the same can’t be said for women in politics.
A record number of women ran this year and won seats in Congress. A total of 256 women ran for office and at least 123 of them have won or are expected to win. It’s easy to perceive this election as a big win for women after the 2016 presidential election, in which President Donald Trump spewed sexist commentary during his campaign and won regardless.
While this might lead many to believe that a changing tide in the political world is making politics a more inclusive space for women, that’s definitely not the case. The 2018 midterm elections were just as sexist as the ones before them, despite the number of records women have broken.
Whether it’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York congresswoman-elect, having her background called into question; Mallory McMorrow, Michigan state senator-elect, being targeted by sexist political ads; or Stacey Abrams, candidate for Georgia governor, having her qualifications called into question, women who run for office are no strangers to misogynistic backlash from their peers and the general public. And for the 123 women who are likely going to take office in 2019, that isn’t going to ease up anytime soon.
Click here to read the full article published by Daily Bruin on 6 November 2018.
