Stop talking at me!

As a seasoned cinephile with a rich political background spanning over four decades, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when I find myself once again advocating for equal representation in an otherwise male-dominated arena – this time, podcasts. My journey in politics, marked by milestones like being one of the few women MPs back in 1982 and fighting for critical issues like childcare that were dismissed as “women’s matters,” has taught me that progress is a never-ending battle.

In 1982, when I was first elected, I was among just 20 female Members of Parliament. Now, there are over 200 women MPs from various parties, making the House more diverse and expanding the political discourse. It’s disheartening that in this new era of political communication through podcasts, the voices leading these discussions are exclusively male – a phenomenon that should have been left behind long ago.

Podcasts should not become just another platform where male politicians dominate the conversation, speaking over women. After numerous centuries, we’re done with this dynamic and wish for a change immediately.

In times when political spheres were predominantly male-led, women cast their votes, yet it was men who held the reins of decision-making. These decisions had implications not only for men’s lives but also for women, however, women’s lives continued to be distinctly different from those of men.

In many cases, it’s primarily women who handle family care duties, be it for children or the elderly. Unfortunately, at workplaces, women often receive lower pay compared to their male counterparts and experience more discrimination. Moreover, politics has historically been dominated by men, shaping not only the appearance (mostly men in grey suits) and the aggressive nature of political discussions but also defining what constitutes political matters.

Stop talking at me!

As a concerned advocate in 1982, I posed my inaugural Parliamentary question addressing the glaring gap in childcare services during school holidays. The well-being and productivity of working mothers, pillars of our public services and economy, were severely impacted as they struggled to ensure their children’s safety and engagement amidst the lengthy summer breaks. This was a pressing issue that demanded attention.

However, instead of addressing my query regarding mines and the money supply, I encountered laughter echoing from every corner of the chamber. The topic of childcare was seen as a matter exclusively for women to handle at home, rather than a political concern.

100 women made their mark in Parliament during the 1997 election, not only adding a splash of color to the sea of suits, but also reshaping the political landscape. They successfully elevated childcare from a private matter to a public policy concern. Domestic violence was redefined as a criminal issue instead of a personal one, requiring intervention from the Criminal Justice System. Moreover, these women brought their unique perspectives to parliamentary debates, ensuring that female voices were heard alongside male ones.

Podcasts reflect a men-only politics that should be long gone

We abolished all-male leadership teams and established co-ed government departments, prohibiting the formation of exclusively male groups or discussions at party conferences, ensuring equal representation for both genders in decision-making processes. This way, female voices could be equally amplified alongside their male counterparts.

It came as quite a surprise that every host on the podcasts turned out to be male, but I was overjoyed when “Electoral Dysfunction,” featuring female politicians like Ruth Davidson and Jess Phillips (from Labour), along with Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, debuted in March this year. When Jess Phillips advanced from the backbenches to become a government minister, I seized the opportunity to join forces with Ruth and Beth on the show. We don’t limit our discussions to “women’s topics,” instead, we delve into a wide range of current political issues, including economics and foreign policy.

Once again women have to fight their way in – but we’ll keep on doing it. With women having broken through so many glass ceilings, it is perplexing that the default has been to revert to homogenous male voices. And if you’re wondering, research shows that while women are accused of talking incessantly, they actually talk less than men.

Women are aware of issues like the national debt, global warming, managing work-life balance, and combating sexual violence. Yet, it’s dissonant with contemporary values when men largely control the media platforms. It’s high time for a shift in perspective, where men listen attentively as women express their thoughts and experiences.

I’m really excited about the upcoming Electoral Dysfunction Live show in Liverpool on the 22nd of September! If you’d like to secure your spot, head over to AEGpresents.co.uk and grab your tickets today!

2024-09-17 19:05

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