Politikerin

Politikerin is the feminine form of Politiker and is used in German-speaking countries to refer to a woman who holds or pursues political office or who is active in politics. As a gendered noun, it reflects the broader German pattern of marking professional titles with gender suffixes. The masculine counterpart is Politiker, and the plural forms are Politiker for men or mixed groups and Politikerinnen for women. In contexts where both genders are involved, speakers often say Politikerinnen und Politiker.

Etymology and usage: The term is built from Politik (politics) plus the agentive suffix -er and the feminine suffix -in. It denotes women in political roles, including elected representatives, ministers, party officials, or others engaged in political work within government, legislatures, or administration. The word is widely used in media, academia, and public discourse.

Roles and responsibilities: A Politikerin may participate in lawmaking, policy formulation, representation of constituents, oversight of government activity, and leadership within a party or in a government ministry. In German-speaking systems, titles like Ministerin (female minister) or Bürgermeisterin (female mayor) illustrate gendered forms of higher offices, while general references to female lawmakers or party figures also fall under the term.

Representation and social context: The term reflects linguistic gender marking and the broader issue of women's representation in politics. While the share of Frauen in political offices has risen in many countries, gender parity remains uneven, influencing discussions about equality, quotas, and mentoring within political institutions.