International Women's Day has thrown the gauntlet down with its 2021 theme - #choosetochallenge.
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From the awarding of Tasmania's own Grace Tame as Australian of the Year and the political storm swirling around Australian Parliament in the wake of the accusations initiated by staffer Brittany Higgins has made the theme of challenging the status quo a pertinent one, it is only one aspect.
From rural women, supported by Tasmanian Women in Agriculture Emeritus chair Belinda Hazell, who are challenging stereotypes, firefighter Sandra McCann has taken on a male-centric role.
The new director of Primary Health, North Fiona Young, says women need to trust their talents and instincts. These are a few examples of Northern Tasmanian women who were celebrating this year for International Women's Day. Women choose to challenge things every day; it's been a historic hallmark of the past, from challenging their right to own land toward successfully petitioning to be allowed to vote.
While women have always had the guts to break the glass ceiling, there is still more that needs doing, and the recent health pandemic has thrown that into stark relief.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people out of work. Still, recent statistics showed that women who bore the brunt of job losses were more likely, with many traditional female-orientated industries, such as tourism and hospitality, forced to their knees. Also, women were more likely to take on the extra caring responsibilities during the lockdown when home-schooling and working from home were enforced.
Tasmanian Women's Minister Sarah Courtney today has launched the Leadership and Participation Action Plan for women to help bridge the gap between employment and engagement for women.
A strategy is a good first step, but as Ms Courtney herself rightly points out, there needs to be more active, particularly if the government wants to encourage all women back and into the workforce and create meaningful change to close long-standing issues such as closing the gender pay gap.
While we have made significant inroads in the past, the job is not done.