Not helpful in promoting gender equity

I REFER to references by the Lord Mayor of Hobart and now the Mayor of Glenorchy to the over-representation of men in local government as “male, pale and stale” ( Mercury, March 9). This phrase is offensive and not at all helpful in promoting gender equity in local government, or other professional arenas.

We would object to women being referred to in such disparaging terms, and so I make the same call against it being used to describe men. I am a woman with over 20 years professional com- pany directory experience and a 30-year management career that has featured a number of high profile roles where I have been the first female incumbent.

I am also a feminist with a strong personal commitment to ensuring the professional and social environment my daughter and her peers inherit will not be as challenging as the path I have walked.

I do this by formally and informally mentoring women, calling out behaviour I consider to be discriminatory at the board table or in the workplace, and direct lobbying and promotion for gender equity whenever the professional or social opportunity presents.

Addressing the imbalance in local government, on corporate boards and in our workplaces requires the genuine commitment and public accountability of all men and women in positions of influence. Trite, discriminatory name calling will not progress the cause.