Letter to the editor -
Dear Editor,
Thank you to all those people who put themselves forward to serve in municipal government. And, congratulations to those who were successful in their bid. At the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, we are particularly pleased to see that a number of the new councillors are women.
Traditionally, women have not put themselves out there to bid for political seats, but have contributed to their communities through volunteer work within schools, churches, and community services. We know that women have always had the skills needed to organize, negotiate and problem solve, which is why the Advisory Council partnered with the Provincial Government and regional Status of Women Councils this year to encourage and support women to run for elected office.
Given the skills and commitment to volunteer work that women demonstrate everyday in their communities, we must ask ourselves, why aren't there more women running for municipal office and school boards? In a recent on-air conversation, VOCM's Randy Simms asked chair of the Eastern School Board, Milton Peach, why there were not more women running in the school board elections, and his response was, "... I think the women, many of the females that I have spoken to you know, say the commitment of time, the commitment in our case and I guess all boards, a commitment of travel you know, you have to leave your family to travel to a school board meeting... [and] quite often to stay overnight. Not always the most pleasant thing driving on Newfoundland highways and many females get discouraged because of that, and that's unfortunate."
Yes, the travel and road conditions may be one reason why women don't run, but there are others. Others including the fear of the pervasive backlash, as well as sexist comments and behavior they may have to contend with.
The past two days, the phone lines have been burning up as people are calling into VOCM's Open Line Show and supporting Randy Simms in his sexist comments to St. John's Councillor Sheilagh O'Leary. Ms. O'Leary had called Mr. Simms to address his comments to Ed Bruce, Long Harbour Councillor about that council now having five female and two male municipal councillors. Simms remarked that Mr. Bruce had his sympathy and having women running the roost would be just like being at home. Mr. Simms said he was only poking a bit of fun and Ms O'Leary was being 'paranoid'; representing a 'political right-wing fringe;' and disappointing him by 'making herself out stupid around him.'
Callers suggested that Ms. O'Leary was being 'too sensitive' and 'too emotional'. Historically, the only good politics have been politics informed by sensitivity and emotions. Social policy and social progress are not instigated by cold economics. Were it not for 'emotional' and 'sensitive' women in this country, women would not be considered persons and have the right to hold political office at all.
The Advisory Council's lines were alive as well, with callers expressing their outrage at the sexist, rude behaviour of Mr. Simms 'poking a bit of fun' at the expense of women. That's the line that was used to justify sexual harassment for decades. Surely, Mr. Simms as a self-declared advocate of women's equality should know that 'poking a bit of fun' is undermining, threatening, insulting, and belittling of women's work.
On a national level, we are seeing the erosion of women's equality. Surely Mr. Simms will want to work on the local level to ensure that he does what he can to protect and advance women's equality.
While neither Mr. Simms nor Mr. Peach may have had any malicious intent, it is important for them to realize the impact on those hearing their comments. If they really wish to support women, they need to accept our comments as feedback rather than as a personal attack.
Linda Ross
President/CEO
Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women
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