RED FM radio station
March 28 2022
Dear RED FM management,
We are outraged by the sexist and contemptuous remarks RED FM host Harjinder Thind made about young South Asian women on his show that aired on February 24, 2022. In a degrading tone, he ridiculed and blamed women for placing their babies up for adoption by using expressions such as, “Who are these women …mostly first-time mothers…mostly South Asian …abandoning their babies without even seeing their faces …immediately after birth in the maternity ward of the Surrey Memorial Hospital.”
Additionally, Mr.Thind, urged doctors or nurses to act unethically and come forward to disclose confidential patient information by asking ‘who these women are and promised to keep the informants’ identities hidden and even alter their voices.
We demand immediate action from RED FM and Harjinder Thind:
- Apologize for Harjinder Thind’s sexist comments
- In consultation with Women’s groups seek and undergo education & awareness training on the history of the advancement of women and diversity seeking groups’ rights & equality, gender-based violence and the impact of trauma.
- Dedicate significant air time to women’s groups on the topics of women’s reproductive rights; men’s responsibilities for child rearing; and how community, public health agencies, and family can support young mothers and women in general
Sincerely,
Fay Blaney, Aboriginal Women’s Action Network
Suzanne Jay, Asian Women for Equality
Ninu Kang, Ending Violence Association of BC
Raminder Dosanjh, India Mahila Association
Satwinder Bains, Indo Canadian Women’s Organization
Shahnaz Rahman, Surrey Women Centre
Sonam Khangura, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter