Little by little, we are getting used to seeing women in politically responsible positions. I want to believe that it is not about forced parity in groups, nor about a strategy of sympathy for a certain sector, but about authentic trust in people of the same sex who have come out of home confinement, based on special efforts and the fight against prejudice.

Faced with a brand new cabinet, I wonder if the belief that it is necessary to go beyond the classical virtues of femininity in order to hold a position of height, insight, firmness and specific knowledge will persist. Women are still ascribed what I call “classical virtues”: the capacity for tenderness, sensitivity, delicacy, gentle manners. Some would expect them to combine with the qualities of someone holding a political position.

Cracks in the way of Daniel Noboa and his vice president Verónica Abad

Leaders must respect the country Leaders must respect the country

But it’s not that easy. The women who ended up in that quicksand – it is enough to look back at recent Ecuadorian history – were contaminated by the worst public struggles: obedience to leaders (as if the ability to think had disappeared), aggressive gestures and language, loss of sense of ridicule, showing ignorance of the law and their procedures. Perhaps the sense of mass that must be experienced in a large Assembly explains the willingness to shout, break social behavior and make explosive statements.

Newly appointed ministers have the opportunity to shake two images: that of tradition, which can still carry a fetish of weakness in the face of problematic attacks, fear of speaking and positioning decisions, wavering insecurity when it comes to managing their areas of activity, being defenders of legality and transparent executors of the measures required by the state . Another image I can’t get into is the vulgarity of someone fighting with swear words and a thug attitude. My guess is that many times they will feel anger at what they find and will want to de-automate the processes embedded within the staff of bureaucrats who will function under their command. But they will have to find a way to be renewed actors of normal politics.

Differences in the Government?

It must be very difficult to insert yourself into the cadres that have already been created, with associates who come from the background, who voted for the defeated candidate and have to accept that their authority is the one who comes from the opposite side. The same does not happen with an ordinary citizen, because the president is always a very distant man, but the bureaucrat will feel other views on his head, an implicit evaluation of his dead tasks; maybe your real boss is out there. Will you boycott the new minister? Will you feed your disagreement in advance with criticism?

Social networks support and undermine programs and initiatives. The vice-president’s situation has divided Noboa’s followers, as many agree with her distancing herself from national actions due to unfortunate statements before the election, while others consider it insulting and even dangerous to separate the country’s second government from the immediate scene. I am one of those who does not see “violence against women” in that decision, but an excess of authority and a mistake. The people chose a couple to rule. (OR)