Advocacy groups working on women’s issues are tearing into pundits for describing Maryam Monsef’s shuffle between cabinet posts — from Democratic Institutions to Status of Women — as a ‘demotion’.

“Please stop with ‘demoted to Minister of Status of Women’ as if being responsible for a portfolio of over 50% of the population is trivial,” tweeted Farrah Khan, a coordinator for the Sexual Violence Support and Education at Ryerson University.

Feminist activist Julie S. Lalonde tweeted, “It’s only a demotion if you think poorly of Status of Women. They’re working on a inquiry in MMIW & federal action plan on VAW (violence against women). But cool.”

Nancy Peckford, a spokesperson for Equal Voice’s national chapter, said it’s “ignorant” and shows “naivety” to describe Monsef’s new role as a demotion.

She said yesterday’s comments were extremely troubling and show that too many political observers don’t fully understand the importance of Monsef’s new job, pointing out that Trudeau elevated the file to a full ministry.

“The scope and significance of the work involved is really massive,” she said, adding that Equal Voice saw Monsef’s move as a promotion.

“It’s an incredibly important file that has so many intersects with other portfolios. It requires someone very nimble, sharp, and who can manage really one of the most complex files at the cabinet table right now.”

It’s the job of the Status of Women minister to ensure gender-based analysis is considered in every major decision the government makes, said Peckford.

“It takes someone who is ready to manage that complexity and drive change,” she said, adding Monsef is up to the challenge.

According to Monsef’s mandate letter, she will support Amarjeet Sohi, minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett in growing and maintaining Canada’s shelters and transition houses.

She will support Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in reviewing current gender and cultural-sensitivity training policies for federal front-line law enforcement officers to ensure that they are strong and effective.

Monsef will work with Employment Minister Patty Hajdu to ensure that Parliament and federal institutions are workplaces free from harassment and sexual violence.

She’s also tasked with working alongside Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Bennett on the national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Peckford said the Liberal government has been unequivocally ambitious about improving the file and that there’s “lots of catching up to do,” given that the former Conservative government was “less interested in aspects of women’s social and economic equality.

“I think that comments we’re getting really speak to a naivety and an ignorance about how the file has evolved … it’s not all soft stuff,” she said.