Singer Lennox: Trump has drummed up support for women’s rights
SCOTS singer Annie Lennox has suggested that US President Donald Trump has been “helpful” in drumming up support for women’s rights.
The Eurythmics star, 62, said his “locker room talk” acted as a “catalyst” for many women, as she took part in an event in London ahead of International Women’s Day.
Comments made by Mr Trump in a 2005 leaked video in which he bragged about grabbing women inappropriately made global headlines during the US presidential campaign.
Lennox, who was joined by fellow Scots singer Emeli Sande at the Care International rally, said: “That kind of event actually catalysed the issue for a lot of girls and women in a particular way that became very strong.
“It actually became very real for them because when someone says, ‘It’s just locker room talk’, actually don’t we think it’s time that we should address that, particularly if they’re the leading representative of one of the biggest, most influential countries in the world?
“In a funny way, the Donald Trump statement is almost helpful as a catalyst.”
Thousands of people took part in the London march yesterday to shine a light on the inequality faced by women and girls around the world.
Lennox led the crowd alongside Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and campaigner Bianca Jagger.
There was also support from Dr Helen Pankhurst, the great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline, who said having someone like Mr Trump in power is a “major problem”.
She insisted the “problem” is not just the man himself but also the people who voted for him and “therefore the wider social attitudes”.
Dr Pankhurst said she feels the world is “more polarised than ever before”, adding: “I feel right now the world is so much more polarised between those who believe in going backwards and those who believe in going forwards.
“I just hope, on balance and on reflection, as we continue to explain why we still need to have change, that the world will continue to progress.
“I absolutely feel that what we are seeing at the moment through this polarisation is more boots on the ground in terms of people expressing their views.”
Asked what her greatgrandmother would make of today’s world, she said the famous campaigner would say “let’s celebrate your successes” but would also warn not to take anything for granted.
Dr Pankhurst added: “The type of misogyny that she experienced – that the suffragettes experienced – still presents itself today.
“It presents itself through things like social media, so it’s changing, it’s morphing, but it’s still very much there.”
“And she’d be saying ‘Get out there, get out there on the streets, use modern technology’, so use those same methods of social media that can be used against you, use them in terms of getting that voice of change and keep doing what’s needed so that we can get to equality.”