Fearless Girl a welcome installation for equality in Melbourne

Melbourne, there’s a new girl in town — and she’s here to stay. The famous Fearless Girl statue is making her way to the city this week, as a permanent symbol of the ongoing fight for gender equality. But where should she stand?

Fearless Girl stands facing the Charging Bull in New York’s Wall Street. Picture: AFP

MELBOURNE, there’s a new girl in town.

The famous Fearless Girlstatue is this week making her way to the city for International Women’s Day on March 8.

She’ll be placed in Federation Square for two years before finding a permanent home.

It has sparked debate about where she should stand, with the public square, the steps of Flinders St Station and the Botanic Gardens all floated.

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Victorian Women’s Trust executive director Mary Crooks also suggested outside the former Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

She said the statue was a welcome move in campaigning for equality for women.

Fearless Girl will be placed at Fed Square for two years. Picture: Digitally altered image.

But would she be better off outside Flinders St Station? Picture: Digitally altered image.

“It’s wonderful. Hopefully it triggers energy in cities and towns across Melbourne to honour women and to have public pieces that signify their past and present contribution,” Ms Crooks said.

“We need to keep doing the hard yards — we are not even close to equality.”

The statue is one of four — the original opposite the Charging Bull on Wall St in New York, and the others in Oslo and Cape Town.

It is being brought to Melbourne by lawyers Maurice Blackburn and industry super funds HESTA and Cbus, as a symbol of the fight for gender equality.

Maurice Blackburn boss Jacob Varghese said Melbourne was the perfect place for the statue, symbolising the diversity of people across the city.

“We are proud to be bringing Fearless Girl to Australia, globally she has served as an inspiring force for change to deliver equality,” he said.

“Fearless Girl will be a reminder to Australian workplaces that we must keep up the fight for gender equality.”