It is often said that the qualities of empathy and understanding – often associated with women – are most needed in politics today. Yet, while women make up over half the world's population, only 26 percent of the world's politicians are women. Why is this? Neil and Beth discuss some of the reasons, and teach you related vocabulary as well.
❓❓❓ This week's question:
Britain has had three female prime ministers, all from the Conservative party. First was Margaret Thatcher, who was followed in 2016 by Theresa May, and after that by Liz Truss, who resigned after only a short time in office. But for how long, exactly, was Liz Truss prime minister? Was it:
a) 45 days?
b) 1 year and 45 days? or,
c) 2 years and 45 days?
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.
Vocabulary
✔️ misogyny
hatred of, or prejudice against, women
✔️ coached
specially trained or instructed in how to improve at a particular skill
✔️ attire
the clothes you are wearing
✔️ walk a tightrope
be in a difficult situation that requires careful and considered behaviour
✔️ collaborative
involving several people working together for a particular aim
✔️ my way or the highway
(idiom) used as a warning that someone will only accept their own way of doing things
[Cover: Getty Images]
You can download the transcript and audio for this programme here: 👉
More 6 Minute English episodes:
⭐ What's the point of museums?
⭐ Would you eat a Kalette?
⭐ Do you get jealous easily?
⭐ Are you lonely in a crowd?
⭐ Food and mood
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VOCABULARY FROM THIS VIDEO “Women in politics – 6 Minute English”
1. Prejudice:an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge
2. Misogynistic: showing feelings of hating women or a belief that men are better than women
3. Resigned: accepting that something you do not like will happen because you cannot change it
4. Tightrope: a tightly stretched wire or rope fixed high above the ground, across which skilled people walk, especially in order to entertain others
5. Misogyny : hatred of, or prejudice against, women
6. Coached: specially trained or instructed in how to improve at a particular skill
7. Attire: the clothes you are wearing
8. Walk a tightrope: be in a difficult situation that requires careful and considered behaviour
9. Collaborative: involving several people working together for a particular aim
10. My way or the highway: (idiom) used as a warning that someone will only accept their own way of doing things
11. Make up over
04/27/2023 VIETNAM
ALL THE BEST FOR YOU ^^
Thank you so much BBC. Greetings from Mexico.
Thanks a lot. Greetings from Mexico.
Thank you Thuy ❤
Waiting for ur comment ❤
cảm ơn bạn nhiều
Thank you.
And My way or the highway performed by Limp bizkit is one of my favorite songs 😊
Thank you for providing your latest story. From last October, I dictate your story and do check my English skill, which is why I can confirm my habitant of listening recently. And at the same time, I’m able to have check gramatically. Its so usuful.
Thanks ❤
Amazing.
I’m from Srilanka. Mrs Sirimawo Bandaranayake was the world’s first female prime minister when she became Prime Minister of Srilanka in 1960
Thank you.
Hi there I’m one of your listeners, your podcasts are exciting and I am passionate about mr Dan’s voice I am looking forward to seeing Dan in your podcast
in brief:
In this episode of BBC Learning English’s 6 Minute English, the hosts, Beth and Neil, discuss the challenges faced by women in politics.
They highlight the fact that, despite women making up over half the world’s population, only 26% of the world’s politicians are women.
The program covers the misogyny faced by female politicians, such as New Zealand’s former prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who resigned partly due to misogynistic abuse.
Margaret Thatcher, the UK’s first female prime minister, was coached to appear more masculine, while also maintaining a feminine appearance.
The show explores the double standards faced by women in politics, with the way they dress and behave being scrutinized more than their male counterparts.
The hosts also discuss the different leadership styles of women, often characterized as more collaborative and open to evidence-based debate, qualities that are needed in modern politics.
Key vocabulary from the episode includes:
1. Misogyny: dislike or hatred of women.
2. Coached: trained or instructed in how to improve a particular skill.
3. Attire: clothes someone is wearing.
4. Tightrope: a difficult situation that requires careful behavior.
5. Collaborative: involving several people working together for a particular purpose.
6. My way or the highway: a warning that someone will only accept their own way of doing things.
->Mysogyni: Misogyny is the belief, attitude, or behavior that reflects a dislike, contempt, or prejudice against women.
It can manifest in various forms, such as discrimination, objectification, violence, or hostility towards women.
Misogyny is rooted in patriarchal systems and can be both overt and subtle, influencing social norms, attitudes, and behaviors.
It can have harmful consequences for individuals and society as a whole, as it perpetuates gender inequality and reinforces harmful stereotypes.
Combating misogyny requires addressing and challenging these underlying beliefs and attitudes, promoting gender equality, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion.
->Coached: “Coached” is a term that generally refers to the process of receiving guidance, instruction, or training from an experienced person, often called a “coach.”
Coaches help individuals or teams improve their skills, performance, and personal development in a specific area, such as sports, academics, business, or personal growth.
In sports, coaches typically develop strategies, train athletes, and provide feedback on their performance.
In academics, a coach might help students with study techniques, time management, or test preparation.
In business, coaches might focus on leadership, communication, or organizational skills.
Overall, being coached means receiving support and guidance from an expert in a particular field, with the goal of improvement and growth.
->Attire: Attire refers to clothing or garments that people wear to cover their bodies and express their personal style or adhere to cultural norms.
It can range from everyday clothing to more specific outfits designed for particular occasions or activities, such as formal events, sports, or workplace environments.
Attire is an essential aspect of human societies, as it not only provides protection and comfort but also communicates social, cultural, and personal information to others.
->Tightrope:Tightrope can refer to a few different things, so I’ll provide you with a brief explanation of each possibility:
1. Physical tightrope: A tightrope, also known as a tightwire, is a rope or wire stretched between two points, usually at a height above the ground.
Performers, such as acrobats or tightrope walkers, balance on this rope and perform acts of skill while walking, standing, or performing other movements.
This is a common act in circuses or other performance events.
2. Metaphorical tightrope: The term “tightrope” can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone has to maintain a delicate balance between two conflicting or opposing forces, ideas, or interests.
For example, someone might be said to be “walking a tightrope” when trying to navigate a challenging diplomatic situation or managing a difficult personal relationship.
3. “Tightrope” (2019 film): Tightrope is a French film directed by Guillaume Nicloux, starring Gérard Depardieu and Michel Houellebecq.
The film follows a writer who is forced to participate in a mysterious treasure hunt.
If you are referring to something else, please provide more context, and I’ll do my best to help.
->Collaborative: “Collaborative” is an adjective that describes the act of working together with others to achieve a common goal or objective.
In a collaborative setting, individuals or organizations pool their resources, knowledge, and skills to solve problems, create new ideas, or complete projects.
Collaboration is an important aspect of many fields, including business, education, science, and technology, as it often leads to more effective and innovative solutions.
–>My way or the highway: “My way or the highway” is an idiomatic expression in English that implies an ultimatum or a rigid stance where someone demands that others comply with their wishes, opinions, or decisions, without any room for negotiation or compromise.
In other words, the person using this expression is saying that if others do not agree with their way of doing things, they should leave or find an alternative, as there will be no discussion or flexibility on the matter.
This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as personal relationships, work situations, or team dynamics, and is often seen as an authoritarian or domineering attitude.
Source GPT4
Hi. I liked that episode a lot. I knew some information from that. That is a hard topic i think. Many people can be more criticized. What i see nowadays women rarely work in politics
Thank you for providing interesting topic. When I went to an all girl’s school , of course all school council members were girls, but there was no problem . I think both encouraging women to work as politicians and changing voting system are needed to narrow the gap.
Thanks 😚
Thank you 😊
it reminds me of listening task at my school. we listen to this kind of audios and answer the question later.
Thank you for all recordings
As a Bureaucrat the view point is a bit, different. Anyone who is in the hot seat (the leadership role) are under minded and credited as being incompetent constantly by thier subordinates no matter thier gender. It really doesn’t matter your accomplishments, education, overcoming personal barriers, authority or gender. You are a target and the arrows fly in your direction.
Thanks a lot
Vow! I loved to listen to the 6 minute video.