As happens year after year, a number of organisations — employers particularly — use this time of year to announce new initiatives to promote gender diversity.
Usually, such initiatives include announcements like extending paid parental leave schemes or flexible work options, as PepsiCo recently did.
This year, a couple of more — let’s just say unique — initiatives have caught our attention in the Women’s Agenda office.
Firstly, as we learned on the front page of the Daily Telegraph today, the ABC is going all-female across its radio and television programs tomorrow. From the news breakfast team to the nightly news, Radio National and Triple J, all presenters will be women. The men are not getting the day off. Rather they’ll be given off-air jobs to do. The Daily Telegraph says the move is “patronizing” women, claiming a number of high profile women have labelled the gesture as “token”.
Triple J, it should be noted, is also taking the move one step further. It’s promised to play female-led music all day tomorrow.
Over in Melbourne, meanwhile, traffic lights are being used to promote gender equality. As of today, new pedestrian traffic lights flashing female-looking figures will be installed across the city’s CBD, as part of a 12-month trial from VicRoads. (We’re wondering what could go wrong during the trial, could they be found to be too distracting).
Chief executive Martine Letts told the ABC the idea is to help reduce “unconscious bias”. “We know that Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city and we would really like to see Melbourne also known as the world’s most equal city.”
This year’s IWD theme is #BeBoldForChange. While these actions will get people talking — and certain segments of the media reeling — can they ultimately promote the long-term change that’s needed?