Thick Skin, Strong Foundations
What women in liberal politics can learn from Germany and West <a href="https://absafricatv.com/club-med-south-africa-beach-safari-hotel-review/” title=”Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari – Hotel Review”>Africa
29.10.2026
4.7 Minutes
Côte d´Ivoire
Mthoba
Chapi
In Abidjan, the economic hub of Côte d’Ivoire, women politicians from across West Africa gathered for a forum on women in politics, organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF). The forum, now in its second year, was designed as a two-way exchange. It offered politically active West African women a space to deepen their knowledge and networks, and it built a bridge to Germany. To lead that dialogue, the FNF’s West Africa regional director, Ms Alexandra Heldt, welcomed Sandra Weeser, a former member of the German Bundestag for the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Weeser’s path into politics was not carefully planned. It came about spontaneously, shaped by the circumstances of her party. Coming from the private sector, she was struck by how slowly political decisions can move. In a company, she noted, such a process “would never work.” Yet she was swept along by the new situation and decided to do her job well. Her conclusion is simple: “Politics is never a sprint. Politics is always a marathon.” Over eight years in the Bundestag, elected via the state list, she showed the staying power that the role demands.
Her departure from parliament also carries a lesson in realism. She had decided not to stand again, so the FDP’s failure to re-enter the Bundestag was not a personal shock, though she called it a disaster for her party. Her honesty about political loss matters. Liberal politics is not measured only by winning seats. It is measured by staying in the arena and keeping faith with its values.
Asked what advice she would give a young female politician, Weeser pointed first to resilience. Women in politics need a thick skin and a kind of Teflon coating, so that criticism does not cut too deeply. Approachability builds trust, and sharing parts of one’s life is part of the job. Private areas, such as family, however, need not be made public. Above all, setbacks must be expected. “Let’s say you fall nine times. On the tenth time, you’ll make it through.”
The most striking point for her was how similar the experience is across regions. She had hoped that German women could set a shining example for their West African peers, but she found that verbal attacks, threats and deliberate efforts to push women out of politics are common on both continents. In her view, this is “how the game is played” in much of Europe, and unfortunately it applies worldwide. A shared challenge calls for shared responses: women must communicate, show solidarity and walk the path together.
Weeser also placed responsibility on women who have already succeeded. In a world that remains male-dominated, some women who reach positions of influence stop supporting younger women. She urged every successful woman to ask herself what she can give back and how she can help the next generation.
Finally, she highlighted the home front. Political life brings heavy pressure, and no woman can afford to be vulnerable at home as well. A partner or family who listens, understands and shares the burden is essential. Her advice is practical: talk with your family before entering politics, because without that understanding the strain may become impossible to sustain.
Why does this matter for liberalism? Liberal parties stand for individual freedom, equal opportunity and the rule of law. Those principles ring hollow if half of society is discouraged from shaping decisions. Women in leadership of serious roles, in parliaments, ministries, party executives and local councils, bring perspectives that improve policy and strengthen democracy. Strengthening liberal parties around the world therefore means investing in women who are ready to lead: offering training, networks, mentors and protection against intimidation. The Abidjan forum, and the dialogue it opens between Germany and West Africa, is a meaningful step in that direction.
