Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin received widespread criticism after a video of her dancing and drinking at a private party went viral.
Now, women in Finland have begun coming out in solidarity with Marin against what they believe to be a sexist track of criticism.
With #SolidarityWithSanna, Finnish women are uploading videos of themselves dancing and tagging Marin on their posts as a way of expressing their support for her.
The Finnish Prime Minister’s dancing and backlash is only the latest viral moment by a female politician. Earlier in the year, a US state senator sparked debate after she twerked upside down in a campaign video.
28-year-old Rhode Island State Senator, Tiara Mack posted the clip on her official TikTok account and in the video, she could be seen on the beach on 4 July doing a headstand while twerking.
The clip has garnered thousands of views and attracted lots of divided views. Some slammed the senator for having “no class” meanwhile others praised her for showing that politicians can still have some personality.
Here in Kenya, Millicent Omanga who was eyeing the Nairobi Senate seat in the recently concluded August 9 elections, has been trolled severally for twerking on her socials and during political rallies.
In a past radio interview, the bootylicious Omanga told off critics saying, “I love dancing, so I do not understand what is wrong with me doing so, even my mum loves dancing. There is nothing to tone down, work with no play makes Jack a dull boy. Itabidi wazoee!”
In a world where female politicians are doing unconventional things, facing the raging social media opinions, and the fight to let our leaders be themselves regardless of their political standing, it is clear there is a long road ahead.
