The University of Kent has tonight voted down a suggestion to abolish the Men’s Officer on the Union’s strong team.
The official NUS women’s movement has a problem with this.
The point of liberation positions is that those who are normally under-represented get a chance to be heard. In the case of women’s officer it’s also about promoting sexual equality, disproving stereotypes and encouraging a post-structuralist view of gender. It’s an issue of mutual respect.
Men’s Unions formed within the NUS have typically been reactionary irreverent organisations, including one that included “playing pool and drinking beer” among its written aims.
With LGBTQ organisations doing a brilliant job at representing the gay, bisexual and transgender men out there, it seems unnecessary to require a separate men’s officer. All we can hope is that the elected man will work with the women’s officer to promote gender equality.
Suzy
“In the case of women’s officer it’s also about promoting sexual equality, disproving stereotypes…”
I think that a men’s officer can aim to do those things as well. There are issues that men face that are often ignored.
Kent actually voted against abolishing the current men’s officer not to introduce a new position.
Oh man… need to start checking my facts. Sorry!
Thanks for the write up Suzy but as Sam said, we tried to abolish the Men’s officer which was voted down (disgracefully)! Also I don’t expect the Men’s officer to aid the cause of Women’s liberation as he believes in ‘human rights’, not ‘Womens’ rights’ – obviously. -sigh-