We’ve made progress, but we’re not there yet

Over a hundred years ago, women walked out of sweat shops and onto the streets of New York, marching for the right to vote, for equal pay and better conditions. It was the genesis of International Women’s Day, and the actions of those women, and others, over the last 108 years, have paved the way for improved women’s rights and created a global movement. 

Today it has become an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, the achievements of incredible women and the fact that so many barriers have been removed. But it also remains a powerful moment to cast a critical eye on what still needs to be done to ensure full equality for all women – because we’re not there yet.

Over 100 years after our first International Women’s Day the numbers show progress but not equality:

• Australia’s gender pay gap is 15.3%, and even with a massive increase in discourse about women’s rights, it has been that way for 20 years.
• On average, one Australian woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner.
• 85% of Australian women have been sexually harassed, and one in four, in the workplace.
• Globally, women make up just 23% of national parliamentarians, 25% of senior managers, and 15% of corporate board members.
• Here in Australia only 7 of the 23 current Cabinet members are women.

So whilst our society has changed profoundly from the past, we have to reflect on what we can do to close the gap. Each of us can take a role in making a difference. For me as the mother of two daughters, and as a woman in business, I am so proud to advocate for gender parity and continued change. It’s something we do an amazing job of here at Suncorp – we are one of only 141 organisations in Australia to be recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality; we have a female chairman, a gender-balanced SLT; and we support young women with programs and sponsorships such as #teamgirls and The Confident Girls Foundation. We are also inclusive of women, men and non-binary gender identities.

These are amazing steps forward, but in the age of #metoo, #timesup and #womenswall, it’s clear we still have a way to go, because we're not there yet.  

So take time this IWD not just to reflect and celebrate the progress, but to commit to being the change that you want to see. For speaking out on behalf of those who can’t. For advocating change to systems and processes that discriminate – some, inadvertently, and some in a way that is blatant and raw. Like the original design of a standard crash dummy or bullet proof vest to suit the average male body. Or the partial decriminalisation of domestic violence against women in Russia. The list goes on.

We are in the unique position to build on the path set by Emmeline Pankhurst, Gloria Steinem and Malala Yousafzai. To make the balance better. So that our daughters and our sons can look up one day and say confidently, proudly…we’re here.