Why Gold Coast Women of the Year awards is so important for women

Celebrating women does not mean disregarding or disempowering men, and women need to be seen now more than ever. That’s why this Gold Coast event is critical

There is always one.

Just as we prepare to celebrate the winners of the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Women of the Year awards, up pops the evergreen question: What about men?

Ugh, this is why we can’t have nice things.

I am a big fan of men, but let’s be real … we celebrate them every day.

From city to state to country level, our leaders are men. Our top corporations are led by men. Even in schools, the vast majority of principals are men.

Guys, men are doing OK.

Now that’s not to say they don’t have issues, particularly regarding mental health, but celebrating women does NOT mean disregarding or disempowering men. This is not a zero-sum game.

I’m all for continuing the celebration of men, but can we not just allow women to have their day?

Given we were only allowed to open our own bank account in 1971, couldn’t have our own credit card until 1974, and access to healthcare like abortion was only decriminalised in Queensland in 2018, what we’ve achieved is pretty phenomenal.

And it’s not just the Women of the Year awards, the same kind of ‘what about men’ argument rolls around every International Women’s Day, which makes me wonder why it offends some people so much to highlight the achievements of women?

Adrienne Readings, Patsy Tierney , Sonia Stradiotto and Priya Verdi-Hero at the 2023 Women of the Year Awards at the Star on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Campbell

When the results rolled in from the US election last week (I’m not crying, there’s just something in my eye), one of the most disturbing reactions came from Nick Fuentes.

The 26-year-old far-right political pundit and livestreamer, who promotes white supremacist, misogynistic, and antisemitic views and has been an invited dinner guest at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home, tweeted:

“Hey, bi**h, we control your bodies! Guess what, guys win again.

“Your body, my choice. Forever.”

On the site formerly known as Twitter, women have posted screenshots of the kinds of DMs they’ve been receiving, full of gendered abuse and even threatening and celebrating rape.

Maybe it’s just the pendulum swinging back from the victories of the #metoo movement, but things are getting scary.

While we might think that these young men are an American problem, that’s far from the truth. Thanks to social media, where the ‘manosphere’ lives – the title given to the sites, podcasts and forums that promote masculinity, misogyny, and opposition to feminism – this generation is truly global.

Already we’ve seen a frightening number of ‘lists’ written by Gen Z boys in Australian schools that show a terrifying attitude towards women.

Not only that, but we’re living at a time where these boys’ parents are minimising their behaviours and seem to have no idea how ‘influencers’ like Fuentes and Andrew Tate are radicalising their sons.

Jess Harlen and Karina Brown at the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year Awards 2024 launch at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Picture, Portia Large.

And, of course, it’s not all boys. It’s not even most or a lot of boys, but it’s enough to make me worry (even more) about my daughter and her friends.

That is why we need to celebrate every single woman, girl, man and boy who is standing up and empowering women.

Let’s applaud Glitter Girl Sophia Rizzo, sponsor of the Young Woman of the Year award, who embodies and promotes a culture of inclusion and kindness.

Let’s celebrate her mother Megan Rizzo, who has taught her daughter how to lead with her head and her heart.

And let’s honour the men in our lives who don’t just recognise all that women can do but amplify it, like John Warn from Experience Gold Coast, who won’t appear on a panel unless there is gender equality.

Our girls need to see these women kicking goals in every arena, from business to wellness and beyond.

But, even more importantly, we need our boys to see these women.

When it comes to respect, women are still fighting for equality, and that’s why the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Women of the Year awards are so important.

So please, let us have our moment to shine. It’s only the one day.

Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell receives the Champions of Sport Award for Karyn Murphy at the 2023 Women of the Year Awards at the Star on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Campbell