Only women?

The press release said:

"The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will be hosting a virtual meeting of women foreign ministers on October 20, 2022, to hear directly from women of Iranian heritage and discuss the grave state of women’s and human rights in Iran in the midst of mass unrests and ongoing protests against the Iranian regime. 

“This week, my counterparts and I will gather to send a clear message: the Iranian regime must end all forms of violence and persecution against the Iranian people, including their brutal aggressions against women in particular. Canada will continue to stand by the courageous Iranians who are fighting for their human rights and standing up for their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. Women’s rights are human rights.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Yep, Joly convened a meeting of female foreign ministers.  No boys allowed.  How dumb was that.  Firstly, Iran is controlled by men, so do you think they'll listen to women about the issue?  No, this virtual meeting had a virtual solution to which no one will pay any heed -- virtual or otherwise.  Affirmative action notwithstanding, most women remain on the periphery of the action -- witness Trudeau appointing a bunch of unqualified women to his cabinet, "because it's 2015".  Not a good reason, Justin.

By excluding men, Joly has excluded the very people causing the problems.  That's a big "duh" in my book.  Here's what came out of her cozy hen party:

  

"October 26, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

“We, as women foreign ministers, are gathered in solidarity with the courageous Iranian women engaging in their right of peaceful assembly and advocating for their human rights. We recognize that Iranian women are also fighting for a better future for all Iranians and we have the moral obligation to support them. We strongly support the vital work of human rights defenders, in particular women human rights defenders, who ensure people around the world are free to exercise and enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“We also firmly condemn the reported violent actions that led to the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. We reiterate calls by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the use of force by the authorities and the subsequent repression of demonstrations, including the implementation of severe Internet and telecoms restrictions and the excessive use of force against protestors, including students. We also call on the Iranian government to allow the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran to be allowed access to Iran."

So, they have declared moral support for the women and virtual condemnation for the perpetrators.  And who was at the meeting?  Foreign ministers from such powerhouses as:

• Albania
• Andorra (ever heard of it?  Me neither)
• Australia
• France
• Germany (OK, they are a powerhouse, but the only one)
• Iceland
• Kosovo
• Libya
• Liechtenstein
• New Zealand, and
• Norway

In the meantime, the violence continues unabated in Iran.  But I'm sure all the women at the gathering feel so much better.