Motherhood and Political Ambition: A Balancing act in France
Table of Contents
The Enduring Bias: Maternity as a Career Obstacle
A recent documentary, In Power and Pregnant, broadcast on M6, highlights a persistent issue in french society: the perception that motherhood considerably hinders a woman’s career. The film reveals that a staggering 75% of women believe maternity acts as a brake on their professional advancement. This sentiment, it seems, extends even to the national Assembly, the vrey place where laws promoting gender equality are enacted.
The documentary features candid testimonies from prominent female political figures, including Aurore Bergé (Minister of Equality Between Women and Men), Olivia Grégoire (MP and former government spokesperson), Sarah El Haïry (former Minister in charge of childhood, youth, and families), Mathilde Hignet (MP), and Marlène Schiappa (former Minister). These women share their experiences navigating the frequently enough-unforgiving landscape of French politics while concurrently embracing motherhood.
Ancient Context: Precedents and Pressures
The documentary also revisits notable instances of women in French politics who juggled motherhood and public life. examples include Ségolène Royal, who famously received journalists in her hospital room shortly after giving birth in 1992, and Rachida dati, who returned to the Council of Ministers a mere five days after her child’s birth in 2009. Dati’s decision, though, sparked controversy, with some feminists accusing her of undermining the struggle for maternity rights.
The mothers interviewed in the documentary recount facing various prejudices throughout their political careers, not only from male colleagues but also from society at large. Olivia Grégoire, for instance, recalls a doctor suggesting she choose between her ministerial role and motherhood after experiencing a third miscarriage. She later discovered she was pregnant shortly after being appointed to a position in Bercy, viewing it as a form of personal vindication.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grégoire publicly chose to be vaccinated while pregnant, a decision that resulted in numerous death threats.
Mathilde Hignet, the first agricultural worker elected to the Palais-Bourbon, discovered a significant gap in the legal framework when she became pregnant during her legislative campaign: the absence of statutory maternity leave for members of parliament. She noted the impossibility of being replaced by her substitute during her absence.The institution was thought by men, for men of a certain age,
she observed, highlighting the lack of consideration for young women in politics.
Aurore Bergé echoed this sentiment, admitting that she initially concealed her pregnancy during the legislative elections, fearing that her opponents would exploit her situation to marginalize her.The codes were created by men. We have come back to the game a little. So,inevitably,we say to ourselves “everything that can play against me,I try to put it aside”,
she explained.
Sarah El Haïry faced an additional challenge: the public declaration of her pregnancy coincided with the revelation of her homosexuality, leading to a wave of very violent reactions.
Despite the negativity, she expressed hope that her experience might benefit other women in similar situations.
The Crucial Role of Spousal Support
The interviewees emphasized the indispensable support they received from their spouses, without which they believe their political careers would have been unsustainable. Mathilde Hignet’s partner accompanies her to the National Assembly, where she breastfeeds in her office. Sarah El Haïry benefited from having her apartment and ministerial office located close to each other. Olivia Grégoire praised her partner’s selflessness, acknowledging his sacrifices in enabling her to pursue her demanding career.
A Macho Environment in Transition
The documentary, produced by Saveria Rojek, serves as a reminder that politics remains a predominantly male-dominated environment, even as progress is being made. This mirrors broader societal challenges, where the pregnancy of a woman is often met with resistance. While the testimonies are presented with a degree of political polish, they resonate with authenticity.
Ultimately, the five politicians featured in the documentary demonstrate a commendable determination to reconcile personal and professional ambitions, despite the obstacles placed in their path, sometimes by those who should be their allies.
