Canadian transport minister called out by J.K. Rowling for 'mocking' high heels video
The "Harry Potter" writer asked Omar Alghabra how many femicides his video would help prevent.
Canada's transport minister is facing some heat from Twitter users, including author J.K. Rowling, after posting a video to raise awareness on violence against women.
On Thursday afternoon, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra took to social media to share a video of several Canadian politicians walking around a meeting room wearing hot pink high heels.
"Violence against women is still prevalent in our society. 'Hope in Heels' is an event that spreads awareness on violence against women while encouraging men and boys to be part of the solution," Alghabra tweeted alongside his video, which has racked up more than two million views. "We wore their signature pink heels in support to this important cause."
Violence against women is still prevalent in our society. Hope in Heels is an event that spreads awareness on violence against women while encouraging men and boys to be part of the solution. We wore their signature pink heels in support to this important cause. @HaltonWomensPl pic.twitter.com/5qngxQ6Myu
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) April 20, 2023
However, Twitter was not too pleased to see the clip, with many calling it "insulting" and a "mockery" of women.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling had a witty response for Alghabra, gaining more than 30,000 likes and 2.5 million views in her response.
"Keep us posted on how many femicides this prevented," the controversial writer commented in a quote retweet.
Keep us posted on how many femicides this prevented. https://t.co/DvqsYbprzs
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 22, 2023
A report released at the end of March indicated that femicides are drastically increasing in Canada. The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability (CFOJA) report indicated that at least 850 women and girls have been killed since 2018.
"That means, at least, one woman or girl is killed by violence every two days," the CFOJA noted in its report. "One woman or girl is killed every 48 hours. Where information is known, men are the majority of those accused."
A day after posting the video, Alghabra added in a reply to his original tweet that he wanted people to listen to what he had to say.
"Now that I have your attention, violence against women comes in all forms, not just physical," he wrote. "Men, starting with me, need to be aware of the consequences of our actions and words and do better to create space for women around us."
Still, that did follow-up did not keep many Twitter users from calling out the Syrian-Canadian politician.
If you think that a bunch of entitled men mincing around in pink heels is going to do anything for #MVAWG, you need to think again. Never have I seen such a shallow, unserious bunch in my entire life, and that’s saying something. As my grandmother might have exclaimed in…
— Mrs.Doctor Bee KPSS💚🤍😈 (@MrsDrBee) April 20, 2023
👠👠👠 pic.twitter.com/Hb3NCZFu9Z
— Bobingie (🩴,🩴) (@BOBINGIE) April 20, 2023
My mom was a domestic abuse survivor and this is not the way you bring awareness to the issue.
— Melissa Mbarki (@MelissaMbarki) April 21, 2023
This looks like an episode of the office
— Toomish- Toma J Timothy MD (@TomaTimothy) April 21, 2023
How is men trying to walk in pink high heels encouraging anyone to part of a solution to stop violence against women? This does not make me feel safe at all, quite the opposite.
— Nicole McTague (@MctagueNicole) April 20, 2023
This is taking virtue signalling to new levels.
— Colin Wight (@colwight) April 20, 2023
JFC. We're really just high heels and dresses to you guys, huh?
Congrats. You're not only trivializing the pervasive issue of violence against women, but mocking womanhood in the process.
I feel sorry for your mothers, wives, and daughters. This is disgraceful.— AJ Kay (@AJKayWriter) April 21, 2023
As a domestic abuse survivor, I find this offensive
— Sigrun, Fed Up At The Moment 🇨🇦🇳🇱 🦗👎🥩👍 (@althingprincess) April 21, 2023
Yep, that oughta do it. Women are safe now. https://t.co/3V0qo3rfqV
— Larry Mendte Show (@LarryMendteShow) April 22, 2023