How militants have hijacked feminism, by Citroen boss

MilitAnt groups have ‘hijacked’ feminism and put off some women fighting for equality, Britain’s top female motoring executive says.

linda Jackson, who has been global chief executive of French car-maker Citroen for four years, said she was ‘living proof’ that women can reach the top on merit.

But women’s rights were being ‘blown off course’ by radical feminists, she added.

‘it stuns me when i hear some women claim they aren’t feminists because of how the term has been misused,’ said Mrs Jackson. ‘it has unfortunately garnered a militant edge with negative connotations which has hijacked the force for good and change that it should be.

‘We must avoid alienating areas of society with the way we approach these important issues. those who shout loudest and most forcibly must not be allowed to forge their own path.’

She added: ‘Feminism literally means the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes.’

Born in Coventry, Mrs Jackson started off ‘stapling invoices’ as a teen in the Midlands motor industry.

At the Great British Women in the Car industry awards at london’s Barbican Centre, organised by the magazine Autocar, she described how she has ‘ditched the macho culture’ in her own company – and urged other firms to follow suit.

Mrs Jackson, who was named the most influential British woman in the global motor industry at the ceremony, said she has ended the tradition of long hours, introduced shorter meetings at more family-friendly times, and does not allow emails to be sent on weekends.