Instagram Live with Minister Leela Aheer
We recently welcomed Minister Leela Aheer on Instagram Live to talk about women in politics.
Minister Leela Aheer was appointed as Alberta’s Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women on April 30, 2019. She is also Minister responsible for the Francophone Secretariat. Previously serving as the Opposition Critic for Children’s Services and Status of Women, Minister Aheer brings her experience as a legislator to her new portfolio.
Missed the interview? Here are our top 3 takeaways from Minister Aheer:
Refuse to be stomped on.
When discussing barriers for BIPOC individuals in the community, Minister Aheer says, “Where we need to do more to shatter those ceilings and continue to grow is that the expectation can never be lost, you don't go over the hump, you’re constantly climbing, and there’s always going to be people who will challenge you on one end or the other; you can either take that challenge, take that bull by the horns and go and make active change or you can get sucked down and be under the mud and be stomped on”.
Tokenism: it removes humanity from the discussion.
First of all, Minister Aheer points out, “justice and equity can never be given out, that has to be part of a lens that we look through at absolutely everything”. She passionately emphasizes that tokenism is a depraved work and should never be used against another human being. She says, “it suggests that someone is no more than some intangible thing, that they’re useless and worthless; it's backwards, I don't participate with that, and I would never ever look at another human that way”.
The only way to instill change is through a culture shift.
“You have to be able to take that joy you feel for the things that are comfortable to you and transfer that into the things that might be less comfortable for you and my responsibility is to make sure that the doors are flung open” - Minister Aheer
Many thanks to Leela Aheer for taking the time to chat with us! Also, thank you to everyone who tuned in and participated with meaningful questions for our guest.
For those of you who want to hear more meaningful conversations such as this one - and we know you all do - make sure to follow us on Instagram @directhernetwork to get a chance to engage live in our latest Social Distance Learning instalment with more inspiring female leaders.