Maura’s dismissive view of MeToo is badly wrong

I WAS disappointed to read Maura Derrane’s dismissive and condescending attitude towards the MeToo movement (TV Week, May 6).

She said: ‘I find that all of this women empowerment and all of that, I’m really not sure we need all of that stuff because the contrary is the case.’

She totally overlooks the MeToo movement’s achievements in exposing the misdemeanours of sexual predators, most notoriously Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein in America.

In other countries, the MeToo movement has allowed women to talk about the sexual harassment they have experienced.

Often they were too afraid of the consequences for their careers if they told the truth.

Closer to home, the atmosphere of bullying and intimidation in the Gate Theatre in Dublin has been exposed thanks to brave women who broke the culture of silence.

Contrary to Derrane ’s statements, they are not simply ‘bitching’. As a media personality she should consider the effect that trivialising sexual harassment has on vulnerable women who might read her opinions.

Julie Crowley, Mallow, Co. Cork.