SPD politician
Giffey: Discriminated more as a woman than as an East German
Criticizes buddy-like behavior and male rituals in politics: Franziska Giffey (SPD). photo
© Paul Zinken/dpa
The Berlin SPD leader criticizes that women are treated more critically and harshly in politics than men. She stands up for her position, so Giffey – “even if it means more struggle”.
The Berlin SPD leader Franziska Giffey has criticized the way women are treated in politics. Women are treated harder and more critically than men, she told the “Berliner Zeitung”.
“When men argue, they are strong, they gain profile. With women, it’s always the same: catfighting. And it’s much more about externals.” When asked how she deals with it, Giffey said, “I know it’s like that. That as a woman I’m often in the minority, the only woman among men, not just in the front row, even in those behind.”
Buddy demeanor, manly rituals – “You can’t change that, but you have to insist that your position counts,” Giffey said. “And I do that too, even if it means more struggle”.
She feels discriminated against more as a woman than as an East German, “which may also have something to do with the fact that I have political roots in Neukölln.” Giffey was born in Frankfurt (Oder) in 1978. “The contrast between the city center and the outskirts is much more noticeable today than that between east and west,” said the SPD politician.