Rising Waters, Rising Bias: Female PMs Under Tides of Misogyny

♀️ Typically, a female Prime Minister has grown to symbolise social and political progress, depicting to a mass public gender equality in leadership. However, in Thailand, when a woman takes on a significant role in the political sphere, attacks and criticism often target her gender rather than her policies. 

🚩 Misogyny, defined as entrenched prejudice against women, manifests through systemic attitudes and actions that belittle and marginalize them. This enduring issue perpetuates gender inequality by undermining women’s competencies and restricting their opportunities.

✊ When a woman ascends to a leadership role, such as prime minister, she often encounters misogynistic backlash. This backlash may manifest as diminished recognition, overt contempt, or gender-based criticism, rather than critiques of her actual performance

🌊 Over a decade ago, Thailand's first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was subjected to severe misogynistic attacks, particularly during the 2011 floods. The widespread criticism she faced was not solely about her management of the crisis but was deeply intertwined with gender bias. The flood, a natural disaster, was used as a pretext to amplify derogatory narratives about her capabilities and leadership simply because of her gender.

❗ Currently, Thailand is led by another female prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Despite progress, misogyny remains pervasive, as evidenced by disparaging remarks such as ‘Seems water likes female prime ministers,’ made by male politicians. The discourse should prioritize addressing the pressing needs of disaster-stricken regions rather than perpetuating sexist commentary.

#WeAreManushyan ♾️EqualHumanBeings

While political critique is essential, it is crucial to confront the systemic gender bias that endures within Thai society. The emphasis should remain on addressing substantive issues impacting citizens, rather than fixating on the gender of our leaders. 

Let's criticise based on their policies, not their gender.

#FemalePrimeMinister #Politician #Misogyny #Feminism