French government gets anti-sexism lessons
Published 11:18 am Tuesday, October 30, 2012
PARIS (AP) — French government ministers will be given anti-sexism lessons, in the wake of one minister’s comments suggesting women couldn’t handle technical work.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has asked the French equality ministry to set up a series of 45-minute workshops where politicians are given examples of sexism in daily life and, with the aid of slide-shows, taught how to avoid sexist stereotypes in political communication.
Caroline de Haas, the adviser giving the lessons, told The Associated Press that all ministers are signed up or in the process of doing so.
The lessons were announced after Agricultural Minister Stephane Le Foll, in an interview on gender equality this month, said, “I’ve tried to promote women as much as possible, even though some of our dossiers are very technical.”