It sometimes seems like one step forward and two steps back in the battle for gender equality.
Justin Trudeau took one huge leap for gender equality in government when he built a cabinet with 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women. His commitment to equality in government is commendable and history-making.
And then this past week we heard troubling stories about how female students at UBC were stalled and thwarted when they complained about sexual harassment and assault.
The young women were stonewalled despite an apparent process and people responsible for adminstering the system to deal with such complaints.
How could this still be happening in 2015?
But it is. From female firefighters and RCMP officers and military personnel to CBC employees dealing with Jian Ghomeshi – people in leadership still seem to hope that if they ignore complaints it will all go away.
Well it doesn’t.
The young women from UBC have not accepted UBC’s apology and are filing human rights complaints. Good for them. The RCMP women are still waiting for their day in court – but they continue to speak out.
Of course, bigwigs at UBC and the RCMP have made numerous pledges to change the system or the way the system works, or doesn’t work.
Change, they often say, takes time and can’t be done overnight. Processes have to be fair and thoughtful. They have some good points, but it’s hard to tell if they’re sincere or if this is just bureaucratic bafflegab.
Unfortunately, institutions seldom move quickly – unless forced to by legal consequences.
If there is a “good” side to any of this, it seems women are very clear that they will not be revictimized by the same institutions that were supposed to be protecting them.
They also recognize that this is sexism, pure and simple, not something they, as individuals, are responsible for.
They are steely in their resolve for justice and to help other women who may face similar circumstances.
Their expectations for justice and action are light years ahead of what women expected even a decade or two ago.
Things have changed, and leaders such as Justin Trudeau reflect that change. But sexism is still a deeply entrenched part of Canadian society, as we are too often reminded.
