May 31, 2021
In case you missed it, each week I will be taking you through some key headlines highlighting women in media from key publications. Here's your wrap up for 24 - 30 May 2021:
1. Liz Cambage and the perverse need to cut powerful women down to size
As reported by The Guardian
It's a sad truth that in every day life when a woman is being shamed there's a good chance the insult is about her weight.
Imagine "the look on her face when you ask her if she’s put on a few pounds during quarantine or mention the flab on the back of her arms. That’s a guaranteed gut-punch, because for many women, no matter how often we’re told our value lies in more than our appearance, we still default to a dress size or a number on a scale. We can be brilliant, successful, in the happiest relationship. But we will be felled by a mention of fat."
When Liz Cambage was shamed by Curt Miller last Sunday he deserved every cent of his $10,000 fine, every second of his one-game suspension. But the damage was done and continues to affect us every day, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, rates of eating disorders in women are twice that of men.
"Appearances hold unreasonable value, and women are sexualized, ranked for their hotness, sexiness, choice of outfit. If you’re not conventionally hot, not conventionally sexy, not unconventionally petite, well, good luck. Good luck getting endorsement deals. Good luck keeping an opposing coach from cutting you down from the sideline."
2. Australian teenagers' climate change class action case opens 'big crack in the wall', expert says
As reported by ABC News
The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Environment Minister Sussan Ley has a legal duty not to cause harm to young people of Australia by exacerbating climate change when approving coal mining projects.
This decision came following a case brought by a group of eight young people on behalf of "all young Australians" filed in September last year.
The group of eight young Australians argued duty of care existed and also applied for an injunction to be granted to stop the minister from approving Whitehaven's extension to its Vickery coal mine in NSW, on the basis that it would exacerbate climate change and cause serious harm to them in the future.
David Barnden from Equity Generation Lawyers, who represented the schoolchildren in the class action on behalf of "all Australian young people", said it was still possible the court would stop the mine from going ahead.
3. Women’s health is so much more than physical. A broad, inclusive approach could be a game-changer
As reported by Women's Agenda
On Thursday 27 May 2021, the Women’s Health Summit was held in Canberra, organised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZSCOG).
Linda Burney MP who delivered the Acknowledgement of Country in the morning, highlighted the need to ensure all women are included and considered. She said we must ensure equality of access to healthcare across diverse groups.
“We know that women with disabilities and First Nations women suffer dreadfully around issues of violence, issues of equity and issues of abuse,” she said. “We need to remember to give all women a voice.”
“It is crucial that these voices are heard.. When one part of our country is deprived, all of our country is deprived.”
Tune in again next week for more headlines!
Louise Nealon
About Louise Nealon
Award-winning Communications Director, Louise Nealon, helps purpose-led organisations and minority groups that support humanity, to be visible and heard – in order to create positive change in the world.
