This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/07/women-need-to-be-bolder-says-australian-of-the-year-david-morrison
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Women need to be bolder in calling out sexism, says former army chief David Morrison Women need to be bolder in calling out sexism, says former army chief David Morrison | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Australian of the Year, David Morrison, has urged women to be bolder in standing up for their rights to help pave the way for societal change. | The Australian of the Year, David Morrison, has urged women to be bolder in standing up for their rights to help pave the way for societal change. |
The former army chief said progress has stalled in the past 16 years since nearly 170 countries signed a bill of rights for women at a United Nations conference in Beijing. | The former army chief said progress has stalled in the past 16 years since nearly 170 countries signed a bill of rights for women at a United Nations conference in Beijing. |
“Me and my white, Anglo-Saxon, middle-aged mates have largely set the system that we all operate in. And, we’ve written the rules as well,” he told a Business Chicks event on the eve of International Women’s Day. | “Me and my white, Anglo-Saxon, middle-aged mates have largely set the system that we all operate in. And, we’ve written the rules as well,” he told a Business Chicks event on the eve of International Women’s Day. |
The retired lieutenant general believes the world has reached a tipping point where women’s voices are being heard, and he wants them to call out sexism and mentor each other. | The retired lieutenant general believes the world has reached a tipping point where women’s voices are being heard, and he wants them to call out sexism and mentor each other. |
“These are all things that can be done now that will make a telling change to the society that we all want to give to our children,” he said. | “These are all things that can be done now that will make a telling change to the society that we all want to give to our children,” he said. |
Morrison noted that although Australians pride themselves on a “fair go for all” mantra, the gender pay gap currently sits at almost 19%. | Morrison noted that although Australians pride themselves on a “fair go for all” mantra, the gender pay gap currently sits at almost 19%. |
And the World Economic Forum estimates the global gap won’t close for at least another century, in 2133. | And the World Economic Forum estimates the global gap won’t close for at least another century, in 2133. |
Morrison received the Australian of the Year award after his 2013 speech on sexual harassment in the army went viral following the so-called “Jedi Council” sex scandal. | Morrison received the Australian of the Year award after his 2013 speech on sexual harassment in the army went viral following the so-called “Jedi Council” sex scandal. |
He has pledged to put gender equality and diversity at the top of the national agenda and to continue 2015 recipient Rosie Batty’s work in combating domestic violence. | He has pledged to put gender equality and diversity at the top of the national agenda and to continue 2015 recipient Rosie Batty’s work in combating domestic violence. |
During his four-year tenure as army chief, female enrolments increased by 700. | During his four-year tenure as army chief, female enrolments increased by 700. |
But Morrison said the young men involved in the Australian defence force academy Skype scandal were drawn to the organisation by some distorted culture of exclusivity. | But Morrison said the young men involved in the Australian defence force academy Skype scandal were drawn to the organisation by some distorted culture of exclusivity. |
He said the stereotypical image of the “Aussie digger” is that of a white man from a rural background who “fights best with a hangover”. | He said the stereotypical image of the “Aussie digger” is that of a white man from a rural background who “fights best with a hangover”. |
It ignores women, the LGBTI community, Aboriginal Australians, people of Asian heritage or Muslim faith, he said. | It ignores women, the LGBTI community, Aboriginal Australians, people of Asian heritage or Muslim faith, he said. |
“Think about the iconic figures that we go to when we try to define who we are as Australians,” he said. | “Think about the iconic figures that we go to when we try to define who we are as Australians,” he said. |
“The bronzed Anzac, the stoic pioneer, the dashing sportsman. There’s an ‘us against them’ mentality deep within our DNA.” | “The bronzed Anzac, the stoic pioneer, the dashing sportsman. There’s an ‘us against them’ mentality deep within our DNA.” |
Morrison said this culture is present in most businesses, sporting teams and families in the country. | Morrison said this culture is present in most businesses, sporting teams and families in the country. |