GALLERY: The Territory’s fight for equality

‘Not enough meat between her legs’: NT’s first female barrister reveals the sexism of the Territory and the ongoing fight for equality.

ONE hundred and eleven years after the pioneering International Women’s Day, Darwin women are still echoing the same calls for empowerment and equality.

Hundreds of women and allies joined the International Women’s Day Walk and Celebrations on Saturday morning.

Despite the party atmosphere – with a stream of purple winding through the streets, tents, stalls and food vendors – the protesters’ message was filled with passion and urgency.

Ellyane Wall, Jane-Louise Mercer, Louise Gabauer, Thea Benpurath, Rosie King and Taylor Sigston at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

“We have to remember we haven’t achieved equality and we won’t do it in my lifetime,” 32-year-old Rosie King said.

“We’re still here. we’re still angry and demanding to be seen.”

Inside the parliament the calls for revolution and change rang just as loud.

The Territory’s first female barrister, Sally Gearin, accused the NT of allowing the gender equality movement to plateau.

She said the NT had the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual assault, women were still suffering in silence due to broken workplace harassment protections — while the fight for equality was even more treacherous for Indigenous women.

Australian lawyer and the NT's first female member of the bar Sally Gearin gave a speech at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Ms Gearin told the story of being denied a legal brief in the early 90s because she “didn’t have enough meat between her legs”.

“We’ve come a long way, they might think it but they won’t say it,” she joked.

Ms Gearin paid homage to all those who fought before her. “This is the legacy that we have inherited from those women who did not have those options, but somehow managed to inspire us to want of life of choice.”

She said it was not enough for women to be in seats of power, they had to be fighting against the sexist status quo.

“If you do not speak out you are complicit … have courage, speak out, do something. If you don’t you are just standing in the way of women’s rights.”

Jess Kearns at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Andi Sutherland and Bronwyn Channon at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Women and allies gathered together for the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Crowds listened to speeches in the parliament as part of the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Crowds listened to speeches in the parliament as part of the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Stella Wingti, Niju Ale and Na Li at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Crowds listened to speeches in the parliament as part of the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Crowds listened to speeches in the parliament as part of the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Magharadhi Sankar, 10, and Suja Sankar at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Women and allies gathered outside the NT parliament as part of the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

The City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations included a lunch and speakers in the NT parliament, Saturday March 5.

Lola Bruce, 8, Mia Dixon, 8, Tilly Bruce, 6, and Lilah Smith, 6, at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Kora Kurnorth, 2, at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

The City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations moved into the parliament on Saturday March 5.

Saige Sayers-Hunt, 10, and Belinda Thomas at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Layla Kirby, 4, at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Bianca Fidock at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Australian lawyer and the NT's first female member of the bar Sally Gearin gave a speech at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

Five-month-old Magnolia Schrieke, Emily McGrath and Erin Lucas at the City of Darwin International Women's Day walk and Celebrations, Saturday March 5.

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