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LETTER: Female politicians face misogyny and hate

The bombing incident at an MLA's office was another reminder of what female representatives face
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North Vancouver Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma's constituency office is seen behind police tape Friday, June 27 after an "explosive device" went off near the front door of the office.

Editor,

The recent bombing incident outside the constituency office of the provincial minister Bowinn Ma has once again shed light on the challenges before our female politicians.

For many, it’s an eye-opening moment that indicates growing right-wing anti-feminist sentiment in Canada. It should remind us that bigotry and misogyny does not exist only across the border under Donald Trump. Such hate has always existed in our own backyard, since the time of Montreal massacre and even earlier when women weren’t allowed to vote.

The systemic violence against the Indigenous women in our country is even much older.

Being the husband of former education minister Rachna Singh, I have seen first-hand how female politicians of colour are more vulnerable to sexism and prejudices. She was the target of a vicious campaign by anti-SOGI groups that worked hard to unseat her and then defeat her in the last election.

During this time, her colleague Brenda Bailey was openly confronted by a man who shamelessly advised her to quit politics and rather focus on kitchen. It’s time to wake up and get serious about this problem to address it before it’s too late. 

Gurpreet Singh, North Delta