You see, Monday morning I was reading a rather fascinating article on the BBC news site about a collection of feminist protesters called La Barbe. In brief, this is a group of lasses who publically draw attention to chauvanistic and male dominated realms by turning up, wearing beards and making rather ironic speeches of thanks. I’m rather impressed I must say.

And they have a valid point. According to 2011 statistics published by the United Nations, France is on a par with Bangladesh for representation of women in parliament. That’s a country largely seen as a place where women are struggling against being kept in a subordinate role, and have few rights in divorce or inheritance.

To the 19% of parliamentary seats held by women that France has, Canada is sitting pretty comparatively with 25%. However, that’s still far below the 50% in Iraq, where the fight for equality is still in its infancy. In the UK, 21% of the House of Commons is female, and the US is rather letting the side down with 17% in the lower house sitting down to pee. All this without looking into women in business leadership, higher education or at countries where sexual harrassment laws are archaic and/or difficult to prosecute under.

With the outlook being quite bleak, even in 2012, for ourselves and the generations to follow, it seems there is a need for a few more ladies to take up their fake beards…