Women's political participation has risen sharply in the last three decades: women use their right to vote more often than men, they are represented in almost all political representative bodies, and they perceive politics as a career occupation. However, despite increased representation and female leaders in politics, there are still significant hurdles in implementing comprehensive equal opportunities: Women still get excluded from important critical decision-making processes, and they are also exposed to gender-specific cliches, which the mass media also reflects in political reporting. And not only in their own country but also at intercultural, political meetings. When not only different high-ranking politicians meet, but also different genders and cultures, there is often cause for great misunderstandings and indirect attacks on both country, person, and on gender, and even violations of fundamental and human rights. Due to the substantial increase in digitisation in recent years and constant video monitoring, it is now possible to record any politic- al meeting and analyse it afterward. These videos often help attract attention to grievances or ini- tiate meaningful, intercultural discussions, such as misogyny, discrimination, or heterogeneity.
In this term paper, I will analyse the political meeting of the President of the European Commis- sion Ursula von der Leyen, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the French Presid- ent of the European Council Charles Michele, with the question of whether Ursula von der Leyen had not got a chair because she is a woman. I will use two videos of the incident as research ma- terial, but I will focus on the gender aspect and leave out aspects such as body language and his- torical background, as these topics would be too comprehensive for this term paper. First, I will compare the roles of women in politics in Turkey and Germany, where I will go into a little more detail on the role of women in Turkey and the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, then I will analyse the videos with the background of this prior knowledge and finalize the term paper with a conclusion.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Women in Politics
2.1 Turkish women in politics
2.1.1 Role of women within the Islam
2.1.2 Participation of Turkish women in politics
2.1.3 Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
2.2 German women in politics
2.2.1 Gender-specific inequalities
2.2.2 Female representatives
3 The Sofa-Gate Analysis
3.1 The incident
3.2 The Difference
Objectives and Research Focus
The paper examines the "Sofa-Gate" diplomatic incident involving Ursula von der Leyen, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Charles Michel. It investigates whether gender played a decisive role in the seating arrangement through a comparative analysis of the political status of women in Turkey and Germany.
- Comparative analysis of women's political participation in Turkey and Germany.
- Examination of the impact of religious and cultural norms on gender roles in Turkey.
- Investigation into the significance of the Istanbul Convention withdrawal.
- Analysis of the "Sofa-Gate" incident using video documentation.
- Evaluation of media representation and gender-specific inequalities in political careers.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The incident
Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Turkey in order to create new impulses in cooperation with the EU. She also wanted to clarify again that respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law is an integral part of the relationship with Turkey. In terms of content, topics should be discussed, among other things, in which both the European Union and Turkey would benefit from increased cooperation. This mainly includes the economy, trade, climate treasure, and cooperation in refugees and migration. (Europäische Kommission)
However, the political debates were put in the background, and the "Sofagate" made headlines worldwide. On the Guardian's video, first, the Turkish President, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and Charles Michel, the European council present, entered the press room. All three then placed themselves briefly in the middle of the room, and the two men then sat down on the chairs provided for them, and Ursula von der Leyen, after loudly clearing her throat, had to sit on the sofa at a considerable distance to the side. (Video: The Guardian)
On April 26, 2021, Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech in the EU Parliament that she believed that she only had to sit on the sofa because of her gender and wondered whether this would have happened to her if she had a suit and worn a tie. She also describes that she felt "hurt and alone as a woman and as a European" (Video: The Telegraph) and again makes the gap between the countries' values clear. In her opinion, women should always be given equal rights, regardless of the country and occasion. Still, she seems happy that the incident was recorded on camera as it is just an example of global discrimination against women, and she says, something must be done to change that. (Video: The Telegraph) Nevertheless, did Ursula von der Leyen not get a chair because she is a woman?
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the rising trend of female political participation and introduces the research question regarding the "Sofa-Gate" diplomatic incident.
2 Women in Politics: This section provides a comparative study of the historical and social status of women in the political landscapes of Turkey and Germany.
3 The Sofa-Gate Analysis: This chapter analyzes the specific diplomatic incident involving Ursula von der Leyen, using it as a case study to discuss gender-based treatment in international politics.
Keywords
Sofa-Gate, Ursula von der Leyen, Turkey, Germany, Gender Inequality, Women in Politics, Istanbul Convention, Diplomacy, Political Participation, Gender Roles, International Relations, Human Rights, Patriarchy, Discrimination, European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the diplomatic incident known as "Sofa-Gate," analyzing whether gender discrimination influenced the seating arrangement during a meeting between EU and Turkish leadership.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the study?
The study covers gender-specific political inequalities, the role of women in Islamic societies versus Christian-influenced societies, international diplomacy, and the impact of the Istanbul Convention.
What is the central research question?
The primary research question is whether Ursula von der Leyen was denied a chair during the meeting specifically because she is a woman.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a comparative analytical approach, utilizing video documentation as primary research material alongside a literature review on political gender roles.
What is discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main part analyzes the status of women in Turkey and Germany, the political implications of Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, and a detailed breakdown of the "Sofa-Gate" incident.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Sofa-Gate, political participation, gender equality, institutional discrimination, and international diplomatic protocol.
How does the author characterize the role of the Qur'an in the context of Turkish women?
The author highlights how the interpretation of Islamic statutes significantly influences traditional gender roles and structures within the Turkish social and political environment.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding "Sofa-Gate"?
The author concludes that the incident exposed systemic gender bias in high-level diplomacy and underscores the ongoing need for equality in political spheres, regardless of cultural or religious background.
- Quote paper
- Lilli Scalzo (Author), 2021, Women in Politics and "Sofa-Gate" Analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1168328
