Hangsam Nembang
Co-Founder, Jiva Organics | Founder, JEC | Coordinator, Nepal Center for Political Leadership
The media shapes public perception, and scrutiny is essential in a functioning democracy. Yet women politicians often face more intense and personal scrutiny than men. While all politicians are criticised, the type and intensity of criticism varies, reflecting gender biases rather than professional performance.
Women are frequently judged on appearance, clothing, family roles and perceived ability to balance personal and professional life. Patriarchal norms link women to household duties, creating unfair expectations. Fewer women in leadership make them more visible and heavily judged. This disproportionate scrutiny discourages capable women from entering politics, affecting representation and weakening inclusive governance. Responsible journalism and gender-sensitive media practices are crucial to address this imbalance.
Deepak Banjara
Journalist
Media scrutiny is vital for democracy but is rarely applied equally. Globally, women politicians face harsher, more personal and gendered criticism than men. For example, Hillary Clinton’s campaigns focused on her appearance, expressions and tone rather than policy, and she was criticised as “too aggressive.” Male counterparts displaying similar traits were praised.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was repeatedly asked how she balanced motherhood with governance, whereas male leaders are rarely questioned on family roles. In South Asia, women are judged on character, morality and family background, and minor mistakes are amplified as evidence of unfitness. Social media intensifies harassment, discouraging women from politics and weakening democracy.
In Nepal, despite constitutional commitments, women remain underrepresented. Of 3,484 candidates for 165 direct constituencies, only 395 are women (11.34%). Nepali Congress fielded 11 women (6%), CPN-UML nine (5.4%), NCP eight (4%) and RPP nine (5.5%). This decline shows structural barriers, internal party discrimination and limited support for women in politics.
According to UML leader Bidya Bhattarai, proportional representation is often misperceived as reserved for women. The issue is unequal scrutiny, not scrutiny itself. Media and political institutions must rise above stereotypes and judge women by policies and performance. Without equal opportunities, fair coverage and a safe environment, democracy cannot be truly inclusive or strong.
Aashish Pant
Student (BE Computer) | Gen Z Activist
The media is often called the hidden pillar of democracy. It can strengthen institutions or weaken them, but this power has never been exercised equally. Men and women in politics are framed differently, judged by different standards and asked different questions. In Nepal, where women make up nearly half the population, politics and media remain largely patriarchal. Male and female candidates are not questioned or portrayed in the same way, and this imbalance shapes society’s perception of leadership.
A woman now runs the nation, yet the media often emphasises her appearance, culture and personal life over her work, agenda and vision. Women face two tests: leadership and social acceptability. Performance alone is insufficient; they are judged on personality, appearance and morality. This biased scrutiny defines leadership unfairly. Male politicians are judged by their work, agenda and debates. Women deserve the same standards. Leadership has no gender, and scrutiny should not either.
Prajwol Sharma
Student, KU School of Law
Politics is not just about policies; it is shaped by perception, and the media heavily influences this. The media is a bridge between authority and trust, but it is not neutral. Traditional narratives assume men as default leaders and women as exceptions, resulting in unequal scrutiny.
Women must work twice as hard to prove competence, while men’s authority is often assumed. Mistakes by men are seen as personal; mistakes by women are framed as evidence of all women being unfit for leadership. This bias affects who participates in politics. Until men and women are judged by the same standards, equality in leadership remains unfulfilled.
