2016-01-19
Polling by Essential Research, out today, shows most Australians believe sexism and discrimination against women are widespread.
“Clearly Australians are witnessing and experiencing sexism firsthand and in public arenas,” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said.
“Despite women outnumbering men as university graduates, Australians believe men are more respected in a range of professions
“It’s telling that the polling shows women are more attuned to sexism in the workplace, media, advertising, politics, sport and schools.
“Men and women in the public eye have a responsibility to call out sexism and to advocate for gender equality.
“We have had a shockingly sexist start to 2016, with a federal Liberal Minister and the general-secretary of the NSW Labor Party forced to resign over sexual harassment allegations.
“A federal Liberal Minister has referred to a journalist as a “mad … witch”; a sexist ‘pick up artist’ seminar has taken place in Sydney; a sportsman has ignored a journalist’s questions on live TV and instead asked her out; and we’ve learnt ANZ celebrated a top appointment at a strip club.
“The Liberal Government is still failing to address sexual abuse in immigration detention; has not reversed its funding cuts to women’s refuges and legal services, and wants to make women pay for pap smears.
“Clearly the anti-women Abbott-attitude lives on,” Senator Waters said.