UK Cabinet Office cat Evie & other female civil servants deserve to know if their work is appreciated
There’s patriarchy even in catriarchy, after all.
By ET Bureau |
Agencies
UK Cabinet Office cat Evie
Over 50 years ago, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher — then just an MP — was quoted as saying, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
These words must have echoed around the right corridors in Whitehall, as the quietly industrious Cabinet Office cat Evie has finally been given due recognition for her relentless extirpation of rodents from her jurisdiction by being named as the new face of the Equalities Unit too.
Evelyn Sharp
Named after Dame Evelyn Sharp, the first female Permanent Secretary (equivalent to a Secretary to the government in India), it is not surprising that Evie has got much less publicity in the Cabinet Office than her male counterparts, Larry in 10 Downing Street, Palmerston in the Foreign Office and Gladstone in the Treasury.
There’s patriarchy even in catriarchy, after all. Male tomfoolery is tolerated — Larry and Palmerston’s legendary spats have not affected their careers — but a matronly moggy’s workaholism is often overlooked.
Welcome to our new cats Evie & Ossie, rescued by @CeliaHammond. Arrived in time to celebrate our 100th birthday & c… https://t.co/c2vxPAlcEF
That Evie’s elevation was announced on April 1 adds an unnecessary element of uncertainty about the intention of the appointment. The authorities must clarify whether Evie was merely used as a cat’s paw in some obscure government manoeuvre or whether her efforts — and those of countless other female civil servants — are genuinely appreciated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hardik Pandya's Bentley, Saina Nehwal's Chopsy: Meet The BFFs Of Sports Stars
1/6
By Maleeva Rebello
On his birthday recently, cricketer Hardik Pandya gifted himself a new pet — a terrier named Bentley. Let’s take a look at other sport stars and their furry best friends.
Image: Hardik Pandya/Instagram
By Maleeva RebelloOn his birthday recently, cricketer Hardik Pandya gifted himself a new pet — a terrier named Bentley. Let’s take a look at other sport stars and their furry best friends.Image: Hard..
Read More
F1 star Lewis Hamilton has two bulldogs named Roscoe and Coco, complete with a dedicated Instagram account. With 140K followers, the account often features the dogs and their master’s lavish lifestyle. The British racer told a news agency in July, “Roscoe is part of a modelling agency and makes $700 per day. He also gets treats that he loves.”
Image: Lewis Hamilton/Instagram
F1 star Lewis Hamilton has two bulldogs named Roscoe and Coco, complete with a dedicated Instagram account. With 140K followers, the account often features the dogs and their master’s lavish lifestyl..
Read More
Badminton star Saina Nehwal’s dog is a regular feature on her social media page. The Olympic bronze medal winner has said that she thinks of Chopsy as her best friend. The badminton star often shares pictures of the fur ball playing with her. “Chopsy elevates my mood by playing with me when I am unwell,” Nehwal once told a magazine.
Image: Instagram/Saina Nehwal
Badminton star Saina Nehwal’s dog is a regular feature on her social media page. The Olympic bronze medal winner has said that she thinks of Chopsy as her best friend. The badminton star often shares..
Read More
Cricketer KL Rahul’s dog Simba has been immortalized on his back in the form of a tattoo. Simba also has his own Instagram page with 20.2K followers. The top-order batsman revealed that he fondly calls the Chow Chow dog ‘Lion King’. “Simba looks like the main character of the film as he resembles a lion. That is how he got his name, as well as his nickname,” Rahul said in an interview.
Image: KL Rahul/Instagram
Cricketer KL Rahul’s dog Simba has been immortalized on his back in the form of a tattoo. Simba also has his own Instagram page with 20.2K followers. The top-order batsman revealed that he fondly cal..
Read More
Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki’s pet dog Bruno finds pride of place in many of her posts on social media. The Australian Open champion calls her Pomeranian her “son, favourite driver and the main man” in her life. Bruno accompanies her almost everywhere, and his European Union doggy passport comes in handy. Wozniacki recently told a tennis website, “I have trained Bruno not to chase tennis balls. When I practice, I want him to be courtside.”
Image: Caroline Wozniacki/Instagram
Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki’s pet dog Bruno finds pride of place in many of her posts on social media. The Australian Open champion calls her Pomeranian her “son, favourite driver and the main man..
Read More
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra is a huge fan of dogs, calling them “loyal, unconditionally loving, supportive and compassionate” in a column. On Instagram, the former shooter often shares pictures of his cute pet. He even announced on social media the demise of Chhotu, his beagle and Buddy, his St Bernard who passed away a couple of years ago. Dogs, Bindra feels, are his cheerleading team, best friends and exercise partners at his home shooting range.
Image: Abhinav Bindra/Instagram
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra is a huge fan of dogs, calling them “loyal, unconditionally loving, supportive and compassionate” in a column. On Instagram, the former shooter often shares pict..
Business News › Magazines › Panache › UK Cabinet Office cat Evie & other female civil servants deserve to know if their work is appreciatedText Size:AAA
