The comment expresses the writer’s opinions.
It was the knowledge newspaper Khrono that first presented the selection, which therefore consists of 14 women and 2 men.
Most readers have therefore realized that my little paraphrase of the International on the occasion of the day is meant ironically.
Because at the University of Oslo (UiO) it is not the women who are academically oppressed at all. Not at any other universities either, for that matter.
For me, it is difficult to understand how it is possible – in 2024 – to put together a committee with such a skewed gender distribution, regardless of what the committee was supposed to work on.
Also read: Shut up, old white man
But I was wrong.
Just listen to the reasoning of Dean Ragnhild Hennum at the Faculty of Law. She is one of the members of the equality committee, and is also the leader of the national committee The committee for gender balance and diversity in research:
I choose to quote the interview with her in Khrono in its entirety:
«– People meet in the group because they have different positions. And it is also a relatively well-known fact that the work with gender balance and diversity is characterized by women, she says.
– Do you think it’s okay that almost only women sit there?
– What I think is good is that there are people in the group who have responsibility, including me and other deans.
– But is it okay that there are almost 90 per cent women?
– This group is put together based on the roles of people. And there are, for example, quite a few female deans who have been elected. And then it gives itself.
– So skewed gender distribution is fine if it is based on what other roles the members have?
– Otherwise, the group would have to be put together with someone who did not have power and authority. And would it have been so wise, then?»
Quote end. Notice that she uses the skewed balance of power between the sexes as herself the justification for the bias.
Also read: − Where are you, Eva Stenbro?
Imagine if the “Gutteklubben Grei” in business had done the same:
– Yes, you get it, that in our industry almost only men are directors. And since the selection is put together based on the leadership roles of people, it goes without saying. If you didn’t have to choose someone without power and authority, would it have been such a good idea, then?
Well, what to say?
Maybe this:
We have known this for a long time, and the Men’s Role Committee, which has just issued its report, has established it beyond any doubt:
It is the boys who struggle in primary and secondary school. It’s the boys who struggle in high school. And it is the boys who lag behind and drop out of almost all educational courses at universities and colleges.
Also at boss level – as we can see clearly demonstrated here.
The fact that this level of managers is so openly unreflective of their own roles and positions is startling.
Also considering that the full name of the group is “Coordinating group for equality, inclusion and diversity”.
Here you can read more by Erik Stephansen
As a curiosity, it can be mentioned that Khrono has done an excellent job here as well:
They have found that just one of the members are under 50 years of age. When it comes to cultural diversity, it is perhaps enough to glance at the photo montage.
Fortunately, vice-rector Åse Gornitzka tells the same newspaper that they are painfully aware of the problem, and that they will raise this both in the group and with the deans.
It is not certain that it is enough. Most power theory says that powerful groups only very rarely give up power voluntarily.
It’s actually time for us men to get involved.
