Iqaluit mayor faces backlash after calling out some male #Inuit leaders as sexual predators
#Madeleine_Redfern spoke at federal committee on the Status of Women meeting in September.
Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a challenge for women in Nunavut, according to Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern.
She was asked to present to the House of Commons’ Status of Women committee about barriers for women in politics at a Sept. 26 meeting in Ottawa.
“When our Inuit male leaders travel with their female staff, they think it’s a benefit and a perk that they can actually sexually harass, sexually assault or have relationships with women on the road,” Redfern told the committee.
The mayor said she has received backlash for her comments, so she tweeted out a clarification email, sent to the committee, ensuring it was understood that she meant some, not all, Inuit male leaders.
“Of course, I know that not all our Inuit leaders are sexual predators. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would naturally presume that I meant all,” Redfern told CBC News.
The backlash included messages calling for her to be investigated, she said.
“I don’t even name names and I get attacked, viciously,” Redfern said. “Death threats because I’ve spoken out.”
Her post on Facebook received dozens of positive comments, including some from women who said they had similar experiences with male Inuit leaders.
▻https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/iqaluit-mayor-madeleine-redfern-sex-harassment-travel-1.4851984?cmp=rss
#peuples_autochtones #viol #violence_sexuelle #prédateurs_sexuels #femmes #hommes