The nature of misogyny still experienced in Australian workplaces

Chelsea Gibbs and Grace Windsor

Key Points

• Julia Gillard’s speech on misogyny labelled unforgettable 
• 60 % of women aged 18-25 have experienced sexism
• 34 % of boards have no female directors, in comparison to 0.9% having no male directors

Julia Gillard delivered a speech which was labelled as one of the most unforgettable speeches on the prevalence of misogyny and sexism, particularly within the workplace. This highlighted for many Australians the cruel nature that a number of women within the work place experience, and even though this speech was delivered and heard by many in 2012 people still are finding themselves within sexist, misogynistic environments. 

A survey conducted by Macquarie University found that ’60 per cent of women aged 18-25′ have experienced sexism. With this, women’s placement in the work place is also a raised issue with ’34.0% of boards and governing bodies’ having no female directors, this is heightened with the contrasted number of ‘only 0.9%’ having no male directors as of 2020. The lack of female representation in higher levels of position affirming the belief that men have ‘superiority,’ many not failing to assert this dominance.

Gillard’s speech came after a long expressed sexism that was directed towards her during her time as the Prime Minister. References often sexualised about her body physic and life choices as a women were brought upon from both the public and the fellow opposition members predominately male. Gillard experienced this misogyny within her political career, but this can be experienced within every work place. 

“Instead of just looking at skills, comments come down to and also involved appearance.”

Elizabeth

Registered nurse Elizabeth has been working within this field for over 18 years and comments on the misogynistic nature and sexist remarks she has seen from fellow male colleagues. She states her work is “Quite a male dominant area,” with all of the surgeons she has worked with being male, with the rare occasion of a casual based female being put on. She also touches on sexism with her experience being that “Instead of just looking at their skills, the comments come down to and also involve appearance which is unfair.”

With the passing of eight years since Julie Gillard’s speech, and misogyny and sexism not seeming to disappear women are faced with the uncertainty of when these prejudiced acts will see an end.

Statistics sourced via: SBS News, Australian Government Workplace Gender Equality Agency.