And the replies have continued this
morning and hopefully will still flow through in the coming days.
More than half the responses were
supportive of the concept of International Women’s Day. There was also a common
theme as to the reasons why and this could be broadly summarised as follows:
It is a day when the world can reflect
on the work of those before who fought for greater equality and opportunity
Women enjoy today. It is also a day when there is focus on continuing
inequality and to identify where efforts need to be concentrated to continue
what is still a long road to equality.
I had posed the question about the value
of the various ABC Radio stations having all female presenters for IWD. Specifically,
I wondered if this was a novelty event or even trivial.
One respondent offered the view that the
broadcast media is strongly male orientated and an industry with a large gender
imbalance. The point was made that a novelty event such as all-female
presenters is a good way of highlighting this imbalance.
A most valid point indeed.
I have lifted several quotes to share:
“I’ve always looked to IWD as a day
to recognise the work done and the work still to do in gender equality. From
personally attending events, speaking on panels and organising fundraising, IWD
to me is an important day to reflect and re-direct (if needed) efforts. From my
experience it has mobilised men and women by simply focusing on the fact that
there is inequality between the sexes, and this can and should be changed.”
and
“Now our daughters can have it all
(although to quote Quentin Bryce "not all at once"). They can
vote and wear hot pants and with focus and persistence, govern anything they
choose. IWD is a lovely celebration of this achievement. A
celebration carried out over high tea, glasses clinking together with men
alongside.”
and
“In this world there is still such disparity
between the sexes so love that we have this one day to keep women's rights in
the media, but I would love that one day we have equal rights, equal pay &
there does not need a special day because every day should be equal but we are
a long way off, especially on some issues & some countries. I also
see it as a celebration of what has been achieved, & the barriers that have
been overcome.”
and finally
“I support it and don't see it as patronising at
all. It shines the light on how far we still have to go as a society to achieve
fairness. Yesterday we heard all sorts of stats highlighting the chasm between
male and female working conditions, pay and domestic responsibilities.
Celebrating women doesn’t detract from or diminish men. It doesn't cost
anything- aside from time and thought. Further- affirmative action achieves
results. Let's abolish it when we've achieved parity- professionally and
domestically.”
I will finish this post by highlighting
how educational this process has been for me.
There are so many elements I had not
considered or understood.
So much of our lawmaking, decisions about
what content is broadcast or printed, employment decisions, allocation of
funds, advertising campaigns and so much more are male dominated.
As much as International Women’s Day received
significant majority support in my small survey sample, more so it highlighted the
need for day in day out vigilance in the pursuit of equality.
We must be diligent in the wake of the
current occupant of 1600
Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC.
In referencing the election of President Trump these
are the words of one respondent - “incongruous with celebrating anything about women and parity”.
Food for
thought and ingredient for concern indeed.
In
closing I quote a line from the presentation to the Integrity 20 conference in
Brisbane last October and suggest it applies very much to the journey to
equality.
“If you
want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Let’s go
together.
NB – I will
post further addressing #metoo feedback and about some alternative views about
IWD
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