Blog 10: Merkel Concedes on Quotas for Women

Women in Germany are beginning to dispute among themselves in regards to the quota of how many women should be elected into office. Chancellor Merkel, who is the first female chancellor in Germany, has filled a third of her cabinet with women; she does not, however, overtly campaign for equality in office or stress the uniqueness of her position. The European Union has enacted many gender quotas around the continent, but is just now beginning to work on Germany. Ursula von der Leyen is the biggest proponent of these quotas, and is pushing for a vote to require German management to have 30% of offices filled with women by 2020. The Christian Democratic Union, which both women belong to, has become divided between the issues.

In the general election of Chancellor closing in, Merkel decided to keep her party together and vote in favor of the quota. Critics are saying that this is deceit, because Merkel only voted for the quota to keep her party together; if she had not, they would have voted in favor of the opposition’s quota proposal (20% female board members by 2018). Katrin Göring-Eckardt, the leader of the opposing party, says that this is no way to lead policy decision for women’s rights; she claims that Merkel is doing exactly the kind of politics that corrupt men perform. Being so wishy-washy on the issue of women’s rights will not be in her favor for the next election. Merkel’s only comment is: “One learns not all women think alike”.

I thought this was a very interesting issue, and I actually side with Merkel on it. My view is this: she does not make an emphasis on having a quota because we should be hiring people based on merit, not gender. Setting a quota only adds to inequality by making it a law that only 30% of the board members for Germany’s powerful economy can be women. That makes it sound like the majority must still be led by men because they are only capable. I admire Merkel for not pushing the uniqueness of her situation. She was the one qualified and chosen by the people, it should not matter that she is female. I also thought this article was interesting, because in my last blog Merkel openly spoke out for women’s rights. She stood up for the protestors!

I think there is also a blatant favoritism shown towards von der Leyen. Von der Leyen is described as a mother of six, and daughter of an influential conservative politician. Ms. Merkel is described as being unmarried and without children. It is as if the reporter is showing approval for von der Leyen’s view of women’s rights because she has a family, so “obviously” knows more about womanhood. There was absolutely no benefit to including that information. The information about having children was only put in to make the reader biased and view Merkel as the antagonist.

Dylan Reddish
5:15pm 4/18/13
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/business/global/merkel-concedes-on-quotas-for-women.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0