Government said what?

I got into an interesting bout a few years ago around economic participation of women in everyday life. Not exactly a domain I tend to enter into as I avoid women's issues. I'm fully aware that I'm a bloke and at times my input is not wanted or needed.

The issue becomes significantly more convoluted when you're involved in politics as your opposition will tend to use women's issues as a trap. Another form of exploitation of women if you ask me fancy asking someone involved in decision making about such an important topic that affects 50% of the population and whose role may impact the lives of many, when they answer attacking them for providing a response. I've seen it all too.many times.

A few years ago I went logger heads with a Mayor of a municipality, I have to admit I was scared I didn't know what the backlash to.me would be but I was completely blown away by the things they were saying.

Working class topics is something I am passionate about, coming up from a labourer, I spent many years packing and unpacking trucks, driving trucks, welding and many other factory jobs.

These jobs are necessary for the function of logistics, many low paid jobs are actually needed. If they weren't filled with people we wouldn't get the stuff we want or need. Yet society seems to disregard and disrespect the people in these roles due to not having a "university degree".

Cancel culture was beginning to rise, I have to he honest some.of.it.made.sence and some of it was complete outta this world discussion points. It felt as if anyone and everyone was just trying to find the new craze to cancel to remain relevant. I often find these methods quite detrimental to the political point trying to be discussed or the view trying to be altered.

I feel it is important to remain focused and not move to far left or right as most people are busy trying to put food on the table.

But a battle caught my eye. Traffic lights. A Mayor of a municipality went on the public record to denounce traffic lights. Yup traffic lights. They wanted the inclusion of women silhouettes to increase gender equity.

Now you might be thinking what's wrong with that? Truth be told not much really. I care very little of what a traffic light looks nor do I pay attention to it. Green means go amber means hurry the duck up and red means stop.

But it's what was said that fired me up in why they should be implemented. See the view point was that having gendered traffic lights would tackle family violence and increase the economic participation of women in the community..... What?

I find this one of the most insulting things I have ever read. When you're in government your in a position of power, a position to make things happen. You don't get the chance to talk smack and try to appeal to current trends. Oh no.

You have the ability to actualise policies and legislation and implement REAL change. Like buy changing contract tenders to include targets.

There's a big build coming up? Sweet make it that a certain percentage requires X amount of positions to be filled by local women.

You want to tackle family violence then fund supports and services that support women and families experiencing family violence.

I was enraged! I had to enter the bout and have my male privileged say, yes I got attacked by the opposition for being a "privileged" male speaking on women's issues however, it appeared that most people were on my side and had the exact same thoughts and opinions as I. Government said what?

I had a story run in the paper which got the community up in arms and many joined me in my quest to hold the government accountable.

As a result the government was forced to change its position and move towards a policy driven approach. They quickly scampered and commenced policy writing. No easy dinner for this mob at the time. Oh no, the people has stood up and returned serve.

They wanted jobs, they wanted the government to stop talking and actually do something. Nothing is more insulting than a paid official getting paid to talk and not delivering anything.

What about where your from, are governments actually doing or are they still too busy spewing rhetoric and sapping up cash building their own retirement fund?

Sometimes it is worth standing up, despite the power disparity. Do you think I was wrong?

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