Annalena Baerbock Shares Personal Experience of Sexual Harassment in Podcast

The German Foreign Minister recalls a childhood incident to highlight the importance of addressing societal shame around sexual misconduct.

Annalena Baerbock revealed in a podcast that she was sexually harassed as a schoolgirl during a bus ride by an older man who placed his hand on her leg.
She admitted it took her five bus stops to gather the courage to move away, a memory she had suppressed until the #MeToo movement reignited her awareness of such incidents.
Baerbock emphasized the pervasive nature of sexual harassment, noting similar experiences throughout her life and citing studies showing 60% of German women have faced such misconduct.
She called for societal change, stating that the shame associated with these incidents must shift from victims to perpetrators.
The podcast also touched on broader topics, including Baerbock's advocacy for feminist foreign policy and reflections on her political journey.