For too long, society has allowed appalling attitudes towards women to exist. There’s no doubt we have come a long way in the past few years but we must continue to push forward because gender inequality is something that affects every girl and woman.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For that reason, we are lucky in our region to have three wonderful role models in Wodonga, Indigo and Greater Hume mayors, Anna Speedie, Jenny O’Connor and Heather Wilton. Crs Speedie and O’Connor have joined forces to take a stand against violence, an initiative that asks female politicians at all levels of government and from all sides of politics to denounce abuse against women and children.
Yes, men can also be victims – and regardless of gender, violence is always unacceptable. But “what about men” conversations do nothing to address what is the national crisis of violence against women.
Men are more likely to be victims at the hands of other men in public places, while women mostly experience violence from males known to them. The majority of violent acts, against both genders, are perpetrated by men and the majority of rape and sexual assaults are perpetrated by men against women.
There is much evidence to show this inequality is the driver of men’s violence towards women. The solution rests with creating a world where girls and women are given equal support to participate in society.
That’s why it’s disappointing this week that the AFL and Richmond have taken such a soft stance against a player who shared, without gaining consent, a topless photograph of a woman wearing a premiership medal on the evening of the Tigers' grand final triumph.
The AFL and its constituent clubs claim to be champions of gender equality and respect, and it is fair to say they have made efforts in recent years to reduce abusive, sexist, racist and discriminatory behaviour by players, staff and supporters.
But by suspending Nathan Broad for only three weeks, the AFL and Richmond are sending mixed messages. Such a penalty would be given for roughness, recklessness or for striking another player.
This woman was lied to and had her privacy unacceptably violated, traumatising her and her family. If the league is genuine about getting men to understand such treatment is unconscionable, it should have disqualified him for much more than three matches.
