Why do women’s websites exist? One reason is because women still aren’t represented equally in or by the mainstream media. If newspapers and general news sites were run by, edited and produced by more women this might be different. If female columnists and female bylines were as prolific as men’s this might not be the case. If women were quoted more proportionally in stories more often, this might be different.
Changes are afoot but for now women’s voices aren’t represented equally which is why I welcome any and every media platform that seeks to give women a voice.
Commercially, women’s websites are desirable for advertisers who want to reach women. Whether there are enough advertising dollars to support the number of women’s websites in Australia is a legitimate question. The Hoopla’s closure confirms this.
Where does this leave Women’s Agenda? In a good place, because we are a little bit different. We are published by a small independent media company that is more focused on niche than numbers. We aren’t big enough to attract advertisers wanting to reach a mass audience, but that’s fine. That’s not our target. Here are 5 reasons we are not just a women’s website.
- Our focus is change not clicks. Child care, the gender pay gap, parental leave, the representation of women in leadership across business, media, politics and on boards, workplace discrimination, harassment and sexism are not simply topics we write about to get hits on the site. They are issues we are determined to change which is why we advocate so persistently and relentlessly on them. Our objective is to mobilise as many readers as possible to advocate for the same. We aim to disrupt, agitate, inspire, celebrate, inform, and be accessible to as many readers who share this ethos. Whether you are young or old, whether you’re the CEO or a new graduate, whether you have kids or not, whether you’re an employee or a business owner, if you’re interested in creating change, Women’s Agenda is a community that will support you.
- We deliver news through a filter. Building pressure and momentum around gender inequality is our primary focus. It is the filter through which every piece of news and opinion is written and published. Gender equality is thankfully on the radar of a growing number of publications and websites. We are the only media platform in Australia however for whom it is the only imperative. We are unashamedly bias towards the equitable representation of women and we represent a united front of women looking to meet their personal aspirations and promote a more equitable and productive future for everyone.
- We profile, celebrate and highlight the achievements of women. Every day. Women remain underrepresented in politics and business in Australia, particularly in leadership roles. This is not because of any shortage of capable, clever and talented women. Women’s Agenda is a community that gives these women a voice, an increased profile and a greater platform. This is not merely beneficial to the women we profile, but it creates a new raft of role models for younger women coming through the ranks.
- We deliver career advice, mentoring, support and a network. Women don’t need fixing but as it stands our workplace structures mean many women do face different obstacles in creating and sustaining the careers they want. We seek to redress this by empowering our readers with advice, support, tools and development opportunities. Our annual NAB Leadership Awards are one of the more tangible ways we can meet this objective and it’s the focus of the Women’s Agenda Network events.
- We are the new Old Boy’s network for women. Many women don’t necessarily enjoy the support, camaraderie and opportunities of the infamous Old Boy’s networks. We are creating our own. It is comprised of our Leadership Award alumni, our network members, our community of expert coaches and mentors and our readers. It is open to anyone who shares our ambition for a community, society and economy that supports women.
There are plenty of fantastic organisations in Australia that support, mentor and celebrate women. Similarly there are also plenty of fantastic publications directed at women. Women’s Agenda is the only one that does both, every single day. And we’ll continue to until we see change.