Editor's Blog

Today, 8 March 2016, is International Women’s day – the day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Undoubtedly, Australia has a lot to celebrate but it’s a day, to remind all how much more needs to be done to achieve gender equality in Australia and around the world.

The theme this year is “Pledge for Parity.” Writing in the Huffingpost, Sadhana Smiles the CEO of Harcourts Victoria, Founder of Links Fiji, author and public speaker says, “A lack of diversity in gender and/or race means that we are stifling our innovation, creativity and thinking, as well as the important cultural nuances of doing business offshore. Consider what impact will this have on business long term.”

In her article, the former Telstra Woman of the Year, points out some of the glaring issues facing women in Australia today:

• The pay gap here in Australia is the widest it has been in 20 years, sitting at just under 18 percent
• This disparity in the pay gap impacts a woman's ability to obtain a home loan or save a deposit for a home/investment
• One woman a week is killed by her partner or someone known to her
• Domestic violence is the main cause of homelessness for women and children in Australia
• Diversity of women in the workplace is not currently representative of our communities
• Women retire on 1/3 less superannuation than their male counterparts
• 40 percent of women who retire claim their main source of income as the government pension and they make up 55.7 percent of the age pension recipients (ABS)
• Women are still sexualised in advertising, by men the men she works with and business leaders

Former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick told the Huffinton Post, that while governmental policy and attitudes have come a long way in Australia to address gender discrimination, there is still more to be done and could start with individuals.

“Australian men should find one thing they can do to support gender equality, and commit to doing this. Fathers can also talk to their sons about the responsibilities they have in helping girls and women, to consequently help the nation and themselves. Male managers can discuss how they can analyse gender inequality within their told organisation, and then work to change it” says Ms Broderick.