Francine Burns was just named to the senate yesterday by the Prime Minister - but before the young attorney from Orange Walk could warm up to the news - a nasty article was posted on a site called "NBZ Live" alleging that there are nude photos of her on the internet - and purporting to show one such picture. Today an avalanche of criticism came from women's advocacy groups. The Women's Issues Network Belize was first, and their statement says, quote: "While we should be celebrating the women who have been elected and appointed into leadership of our National Government, we are instead disgusted by the outright disrespect and attempt to humiliate yet another Belizean woman."
The release says they, quote, "stand in solidarity with Senator Burns and every other woman or young girl who has been exposed against her will by people they have trusted."
The National Women's Commission sent out its own release, saying, quote, "(the) nude pictures...falsely and maliciously claim to be that of newly appointed...Senator, Francine Burns."
It adds, quote, "it falsely seeks to discredit and demean Burns' character and downplay her achievement as a young attorney; at a time when the government has made strides in promoting women to the highest decision-making levels..."
And the UDP National Organization for Women also sent out a release saying, quote, "The malice behind the article represents...the stigma associated with politics for Belizean women and shows a double standard in the way women are often treated." End quote.
And while she didn't send out a release, former PUP Senator Lisa Shoman posted on her facebook that the post is, quote, "utterly vile and despicable...it is completely wrong, intolerable…and unacceptable." End quote.
And speaking in a much more circumspect fashion, one woman in politics, former Senator/Minister Lisel Alamilla posted these words of hard-won wisdom on her facebook page:
"The sooner you learn this about politics the quicker you will enjoy it....
People will dislike you for no reason, so don't bother spending time trying to figure it out.
Women who you thought would support you, won't; those who do outweigh those who don't, so accept that and move on.
As to some men, they are still trying to figure out where you fit so don't back down, be yourself. Don't spend any time trying to make them like you; they likely won't....Men are so used to having the political power that they don't want to share it.
When they refer to you they will likely call you (and here she lists a number of derogatory but offensive words for women and then she continues)...but do you really care? You probably have already been called that before and yet you are where you are.
....you are paving the road for future girls so that one day they won't have to suffer thru the double standards and hypocrisy that you are living." End quote.
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