Bolgerism
Sexism in mainstream politics, never too far from the surface, reared its ugly head again last week. New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger attacked Victorian Premier Joan Kirner over a series of election campaign ads focusing on the damage done to ordinary New Zealanders by his government's economic rationalism. Bolger commented: "They say the show's not over until the fat lady sings. Well, I think it was her we heard warming up in the wings this week."
The jibe infuriated women on both sides of the Tasman. Alison Roxburgh, president of the NZ National Council for Women, commented: "Women have been the butt of a lot of sexist jokes and sexist comments, and it is time that people, particularly in public life, cleaned up their act". Even women in Bolger's party were angered, with National vice-president Colleen Singleton claiming that women in the party were "almost incensed".
Kirner herself described Bolger's comments as indicative of the inability of conservative politicians to accept women in decision-making roles.
Bolger was finally forced into a reluctant back-down. But the incident highlights the constant pressure upon women in public life to conform to an artificial standard of "beauty" that is never applied to men. The real damage done to women by these unrealistic standards is all too evident — in the alarming numbers of young women with eating disorders, and in the feelings of inadequacy, shame and disgust that most of us harbour towards our own bodies.
Kirner has been a particular target of comments from opposition politicians and sections of the media. Her size, taste in clothes and even the colour of her lipstick have been considered matters worthy of public comment, while expressions of anger at this media sexism have been dismissed as trivial complaints.
But it's not a trivial issue. This form of sexism is used to undermine the confidence of women and make them reluctant to step into leadership roles.
However, the use of sexism stereotypes by some opponents of Kirner should not be used to prevent criticism of her policies. While women would certainly fare poorly under a Liberal government, women are bearing the brunt of Labor's cutbacks, despite the feminist rhetoric of Kirner and her supporters.
There is evidence that women workers have been disproportionately affected by the government's privatisation and contracting out of services. According to state Public Services Federation official Lynn Beaton, "For years public sector workers have led the rest of the community in providing conditions for women workers such as paid maternity leave, access to permanent part-time work and merit and equity programs. With privatisation and contracting re at risk."
Thousands of sole parents, mainly women, eke out a precarious existence in expensive and often substandard accommodation while public housing waiting lists grow longer. Kirner's promise to increase child-care places by 10,800 compares with approximately 124,000 children for whom suitable child-care isn't available. Inadequate funding to women's refuges, sexual assault centres and domestic violence services mean that victims of violence, abuse and incest often have nowhere to go.
While women are justifiably enraged at the sexism directed at women politicians, too few of these politicians support policies in the interest of the majority of women.
By Bronwen Beechey