Amber Beijer, a 23-year-old CDA councilor in De Ronde Venen, has spoken out against the misogyny she faces in politics. She posted a video on social media about the sexist remarks she constantly receives, sparking supportive and cynical reactions.

Beijer’s experience highlights a broader issue of sexism within politics, where women are underrepresented and often face prejudice. Despite efforts towards equal representation, less than a third of councilors in the Netherlands are women.

Beijer, active in politics since age 19 and the only woman in her faction, is frustrated by the constant remarks unrelated to her work. She aims to break the norm that female politicians are only valued for their image, rejecting advice to ignore such comments.

The last straw was a colleague’s remark suggesting she’d be better suited for a campaign poster in a bikini than with a normal portrait. When she raised this with colleagues, she was advised against reporting it, which she found unacceptable.

Beijer believes confronting individuals directly is ideal but acknowledges the risk of being labeled as oversensitive. She suggests that colleagues of the same gender and age addressing the behavior could be more effective.

She finds that her voice as a young woman is not taken as seriously as that of an older man, even when she is in charge.

While most remarks come from men, Beijer also receives warnings from women based on their own experiences, such as advice to avoid doing anything to her appearance at council meetings. She feels pressured to maintain a professional appearance without being perceived as a “fashion doll.” She removed a bikini photo from her Instagram, questioning why young female politicians need business profiles.