To look life in the face

Alluding to Virginia Wolf in A Room of One’s Own, Alida Brill states that the
mirror women have so long held up to men—a mirror that exaggerates and
flatters male attributes—has increasingly projected a more realistic image since
women’s entry into public life. However, she cautions, many men resent these
newer projections and therefore fight against them.21 Some argue that in many
cases, women politicians have become “just like other men” in their attitudes—
usually meaning aggressive, manipulative, unfair or any of a number of pejorative
adjectives. Others contend that many women in public life have studiously avoided
taking up issues particularly (but by no means only) relevant to women’s welfare
or interests. Brill therefore asks again: “Is there a woman’s voice in politics
which is unique? Does it really make a difference that women have achieved
political office? Would it be just as good if there were more men in politics
world-wide who were sympathetic to the women’s agenda?”

- UNDP (2000) Women's Political Participation and Good Governance: 21st Century Challenges. In: Beijing + 5: Women's Political Participation: Review of Strategies and Trends.