More needs to be done for gender equality

AUSTRALIA has come a long way in recognising the invaluable role women play in society. But there is still a lot more that can be done for gender equality.

YOUR SAY: Australia has come a long way in recognising the invaluable role women play in society.

But there is still a lot more that can be done in the case for gender equality.

Women make up about 50.2 per cent of the Australian population, but make up just over 46 per cent of the workforce.

They earn on average $283.20 per week less of a full-time ordinary wage than men, and their superannuation payouts at retirement are only about 45 per cent of men's, relegating a lot of women to poverty in their old age.

This idea that the sexes were made by the gods to be different and not equal does not represent the facts of the year 2017.

Maybe that was the case in the 1950s, but not as we approach the third decade of the 21st century. The world is changing for the better and the conservative fringe dwellers of Australia need to understand this.

In 1984 the Sex Discrimination Act was introduced, making it against the law to discriminate on a person's gender.

Women still are sexually harassed in the workforce and in general society, which I think is a totally unacceptable situation.

The act of 1984 works to protect against things like this happening and there are severe penalties for those caught abusing the act. But it's not just about protecting women's rights; men are also protected by discrimination under the act. It recognises men and women as equals.

As a progressive thinking individual in modern Australia, I am proud to announce that I have become a feminist, and strongly believe in gender equality.

Let's hope more men can become the same.

DAVE FREDERICKS, Toowoomba

Originally published as More needs to be done for gender equality