A decade ago, I embarked on a transformative journey from Chile to Australia, accompanied by my husband and our one-year-old daughter. Our initial plan was simple: a one-year stint abroad for my husband’s MBA studies in Melbourne and for me to immerse myself in a new language. Little did I know that this move would shape not only my career trajectory but also ignite a fervent passion for feminist advocacy.
Fast forward ten years, Melbourne has become our cherished home. Amidst raising our two daughters, I endeavoured to reintegrate into the workforce, delving back into my expertise in the financial markets. Yet, this reintegration wasn’t without its trials. Like many skilled migrant women, I encountered the hurdles of navigating unfamiliar systems, overcoming language barriers, and lacking connections, among others. However, fueled by determination and resilience, I persevered, gradually carving out a space for myself in the professional realm once more. However, my journey extends far beyond professional pursuits.
Driven by an unwavering belief in gender equality, I ventured into the realm of podcasting two years ago. “No Second Class Citizens,” my feminist podcast, serves as a platform for poignant discussions with remarkable women, tackling issues crucial to advancing women’s empowerment.
What inspired me to embark on this endeavour? It wasn’t just a single moment or experience but a culmination of observations and personal encounters and the fact that women, in many places, are still being treated as second-class citizens.
The first time I noticed this was when I was very young, and I thought about how unfortunate my grandmothers were. One of them was a victim of terrible domestic violence, and the other, with better luck, was dependent on a man who loved parties so much that he preferred to spend his money on drinks and friends instead of paying the bills. Both of my grandmothers were remarkable women, examples of resilience, kindness, and hard work.
Growing up, I experienced gender discrimination and violence firsthand. When I was 14 years old, some older kids at school decided to play a cruel prank on me by calling me home anonymously to threaten me with rape. When my parents found out who the perpetrators were and asked the school for corrective measures, the majority of the parents in the perpetrators’ class dismissed it as a harmless joke, normalizing such behaviour and blaming the victims—myself and my parents.
However, it was upon migrating to Australia that my feminist awakening reached its zenith. Despite residing in a developed nation, the stark disparities persisted. Shocking statistics reveal the grim reality of gender-based violence, with 26 women murdered by men in the first four months of this year alone. Moreover, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles, constituting merely 30 per cent of company boards and holding less than 20 per cent of top executive positions.
The disheartening parallels between Australia and my homeland fuelled my resolve to advocate for gender equality with renewed vigour. Apart from the podcast, I have recently embarked on a new venture as a social entrepreneur with Professional Migrant Women, joining forces with the founder, Fabiola Campbell, and another influential figure, Lina Orozco Munera, to empower and uplift migrant women in our community.
My journey from Chile to Australia has been one of evolution, empowerment, and advocacy. It’s a testament to the transformative power of migration and the imperative of feminist solidarity in challenging systemic inequalities. As I continue to navigate this path, I am reminded of the words of Malala Yousafzai: “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” In solidarity, we find strength, and in advocacy, we forge change.