Change the Culture by Liam Christie
Today, after hundreds of years fighting for gender equality – from the French Revolution to the waves of feminism in the 20th century – some countries of the world have taken a few steps toward improving equality between sexes. However, despite some progress, there are still many discrepancies and injustices between genders, notably in Australia.
There have been numerous challenges facing women in Australia during the recent past, especially in Parliament. While my grandmother was working in the Australian Parliament, women had a wage gap of 30 to 40 percent to men – yet they were undertaking the same work.
However, economics was not the most important challenge facing women. One of the greatest challenges facing women in the Australian parliament is general abuse. A report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, shows that 51 percent of people who work in Parliament have had to deal with at least one incident of assault. As the report declares “…that is unacceptably high” – somewhat of an understatement. Granted, the report includes both men and women; however, women are clearly the most affected by the lack of standards and respect in that workplace.
Stories reporting abuse, and disrespect towards women, seem to be ever-present in newspapers like “The Australian”. I can recall the feelings of powerlessness, but also frustration, as my family talked about the injustices described in these articles. In addition, men in the Australian parliamentary context are clearly held to be in an untouchable position. If a victim of abuse speaks out, it seems that they are always the one that loses their job. Quite simply, it does not make sense and should never be the case… Furthermore, the newspapers also do not help the cause on which they are reporting. The subject of the story – frequently, a female – is often described using words that belittle them, and sometimes even make them seem like the villain. Words or descriptions like “old side-eye” present the victim as though they are a perpetrator.
This gender injustice seems to be rooted far below the surface in Australia. Abuse towards women appears to be highly tolerated – probably since it has been happening for a very, very long time. In addition to such behavior being overtly or covertly tolerated, some Australians do not seem to understand the gravity of the problem, and their choices seem to demonstrate their indifference. In September of 2021, the Australian prime minister (a parliamentarian and the leader of the Australian Federal government), speaking at the Australian Women’s Safety Summit, stated that he was shocked at the stories of women who did not feel safe at Parliament. He then decided to read out testimonies from women who had suffered abuse and assault.
His ignorance is revealing of the approach of Australian parliamentarians and possibly wider Australian society. This is demonstrated in two ways: one, because despite there having been continuous cries for help and justice in the past 30 years, he declared that he was “shocked” (but “not surprised”) to hear of such horrifying stories. Second, is his decision to read out testimonies of victims. This action far outweighs the
first as it may have felt to the victims as simply another assault on them. Reading the testimonies was a complete disregard for privacy. Coming from the Prime Minister, who has the most influence in Parliament and across the country, this action demonstrates that the country is in need for an urgent awakening. If the leader of the state demonstrably doesn’t understand the gravity of the issue, then how can the population?
Unfortunately, change needs to happen on a much broader scale to contribute to equality between genders. Implementing measures to ensure women’s safety on a case by-case basis is critical but not, in itself, sustainable. It is necessary that Australia, as a population, undertakes a cultural shift so that all women may feel safe in their work, their homes, and their personal lives. The solution to improving gender equality must come, at least in part, through education. Younger children, adolescents, and young adults are by far the most impressionable. It is necessary that the education system presents men and women in an equal light, and emphasizes respect between genders, ethnicities, and people. Influencing younger people in the right way will be a big step in changing the narrative of equality – in the Australian parliament, and Australian society more broadly.