A men-only UN conference on gender equality? If only it was a joke

[KamaAina]

obviously, not The Onion.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/womens-blog/2014/oct/06/men-only-un-conference-gender-equality-if-only-it-was-a-joke

How do you feel about the fact that Iceland planned to hold a conference on gender equality, feminism and sexual violence – without a single female invitee? “It will be the first time at the United Nations that we bring together only men leaders to discuss gender equality,” Iceland’s foreign minister, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, announced to the UN last week.

The organisers later backtracked and said women would be involved, although it seems they will be barred from some sessions....

What’s your gut saying so far? Wrong as it often is, mine isn’t fully convinced that removing either gender from a discussion on gender equality is a smart move....

It has taken until 2014 to even get the argument that there is no position between sexist and feminist into mainstream discussion, just as there’s no position between racist and not-racist. Doesn’t an all-male conference on gender equality smack of “We’ll take it from here, sweetheart”?

[riqster]

1. Christ on a corset. Really?

Yes, triple facepalm.

[Bragi]

2. I'm not necessarily opposed

Almost any economic, social or cultural matter that involves more than one specific group (which is most of them) allows members of a specific group to gather and talk, and maybe find things in common, amongst themselves, if they wish to do so. Right? So why not men on gender equality issues? Or am I missing something? - B

[n2doc]

3. I posted this a while back, and got a bunch of "Iceland is dreamy" posts in reply

Maybe they'll show up here as well.

[Electric Monk]

4. You mean this thread? So my single reply counts as a bunch? Neat.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025604696

[n2doc]

6. Well you are legion n/t

[FSogol]

5. A Mansplaining Conference? Do they have T-shirts?

[Sheldon Cooper]

7. A bunch of men get together to discuss gender equality?

I'll await their findings.

[progressoid]

8. 'WTF' is a bit of an understatement.

But seriously, WHAT THE FUCK?

[AwakeAtLast]

9. Kick for exposure

and because I need to kick something after reading that article.