Loyalist students differ on the role of feminism on International Women’s Day

Posted on March 11, 2011

On the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day, at least one Loyalist College student believes that equality between men and women still isn’t there.

Heather Doyle, an Art and Design Foundation student, believes men aren’t treated equally in the media.

“You see a lot of commercials where men are treated as being really stupid or always doing something that’s wrong and because of that guys are given a lot of flack,” said Doyle.

However, when it comes to rights, she believes that both men and women are treated equally.

It has been less than 100 years since the first woman was elected into Parliament and less than 100 years since women were first able to vote federally.

Each year on this day thousands of events are held around the world to celebrate the day. In more than 25 counties it is an official holiday, much like Mother’s Day.

Men began voting in Canada in 1791, and were the only gender allowed to have a job as a politician. Medicine and law were also job held by only men. It was generally accepted by most women and men that those jobs were for men.

Although Canada has made a lot of progress over the years, students at Loyalist College still have different views on what a feminist is.

Sports Journalism student Benjamin Aube says it’s a broad question.

“It sometimes has negative connotations these days, but it’s someone who believes in equal rights,” Aube said.

Doyle said that feminism has lately been pushed too far by extremists.

“Those fighting have made it so women are forced to go into high-end jobs, and don’t have the option to be a stay at home mom anymore,” said Doyle.

Some major milestones between the time women were able to vote and now include pay equality in 1952, the creation of the cabinet portfolio of Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in 1971 and The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauve became the first woman to hold office as the Governor General in 1984.

Over the years as the role of women has changed in society, the day has changed its tone. It has gone from being a reminder about the negatives to celebrating the positives.