Women

Analysis and Comment (30)

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Labor has traditionally had a strong support among female voters, but this could be set to change in 2013. AAP/Lukas Coch

Male and female voters: will there be a ‘gender gap’ in 2013?

By Haydon Manning, Flinders University

A “gender dimension” now envelopes national politics unlike anything we have observed in the past. Julia Gillard’s popular but arguably unfair accusation that opposition leader Tony Abbott is a misogynist…
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The Pacific Islands may be well-known as an idyllic tourist destination, but gendered violence remains a chronic issue for Island women. AAP/Diana Plater

Pacific Islands: beset by gender violence, but why?

By Nicole George

Allegations of sorcery-related abuse in Papua New Guinea have had increased prominence in recent days. They involve the alleged torture of six women and one man with hot irons as part of an Easter “sacrifice…
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Facebook “slut shaming” pages reflect deeper problems with society’s discriminatory attitude towards women. Flickr/Franco Bouly

Facebook misogyny: ‘slut shaming’ or just woman hating?

By Meagan Tyler, Victoria University

“Slut shaming” may be the latest cause célèbre to sweep to our shores, but it just looks a lot like old-fashioned misogyny. From the US-based Salon and The Guardian in the UK, to the Canberra Times in…
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For women and children the risks when crossing borders are far greater than men. EPA/Yuri Kochetkov

Deadly borders: women and children seeking asylum

By Sharon Pickering, Monash University

Crossing borders is far more dangerous for some. The facts are that women and children are more likely to die crossing borders in environmentally hazardous conditions than men. When boats sink or encounter…
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Under President Karzai women now can study, hold office and choose not to wear the burqua. Flickr/World Bank Photo Collection

Challenging stereotypes of Afghan women as the West withdraws

By Rachel Busbridge, La Trobe University and Melissa Phillips, University of Melbourne

As the withdrawal of foreign troops nears, with a full withdrawal expected by the end of 2014, Afghanistan has re-emerged as a major issue in Australian politics. Those worried about Australian casualties…
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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga thinks women’s tennis is affected by their unstable emotions. AAP/Joe Castro

Azarenka, Tsonga and the sexism that chokes women’s tennis

By Ramon Spaaij, La Trobe University and Karen Farquharson, Swinburne University of Technology

Two interesting and intersecting events occurred at the Australian Open this week. First, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga questioned women’s ability to control their emotions while playing tennis at a press…
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President Barack Obama hugs Sandra Fluke, who was vilified by the right for her views on contraception. EPA/Rick Giase

It’s the women wot won it: Democrat victory was no Fluke

By Nicole Hemmer

A president’s first act in office carries considerable symbolic weight. After President Obama was sworn in in 2009, the first piece of legislation he signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Act, allowing women…
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Anne Summers has spoken about her own experience with a backyard abortion. AAP Image/Luis Enrique Ascui

Dangerous remedies: ending the horror of backyard abortions

By Andrea Carson, University of Melbourne

When Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke out against sexism and misogyny in the parliament last month, her words had resonance far beyond the political context of the moment. It was a reminder that women…
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Some friendships weren’t supposed to last forever. Kalexander

RIP BFF: why women need to talk about friendship break-ups

By Natalie Kon-yu, Victoria University

I had recently realised that the radio silence I’d been getting from my best and oldest friend wasn’t just about hectic schedules or different time-zones. Rather, in the most brutal and honest terms, I…
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Online stalking gets far too much attention, but it’s worth making some changes to prevent it happening to you. Flickr/Ed Yourdon

Stop the trolls: how to prevent cyber stalking happening to you

By Rosemary Purcell, University of Melbourne

Recent cases of online abuse against Charlotte Dawson and NRL player Robbie Farah have attracted considerable media attention and triggered public debate about how to respond to this issue. But how big…
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There may be no causal correlation between a board’s gender diversity and firm performance, but greater female participation does have its benefits. Image from www.shutterstock.com

Sorry, but there’s no business case for gender quotas

By Renee Adams

There’s support across the globe for increased female participation at leadership levels. In Norway, it’s a legislative requirement that at least 40% of the board members of listed companies are women…
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We need to take a better look at the role women can play in the Millenium Devlopment Goals. AAP/EPA/Harish Tyagi

Challenge 11: How improving women’s status helps us all

By Mel Dunn and Danielle Logue, University of Technology, Sydney

In part 11 of the multi-disciplinary Millennium Project series, Danielle Logue and Mel Dunn note the striking absence of male voices in discussions of women’s empowerment, despite it being fundamental…
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Increasing workforce participation of women and older people could increase Australia’s GDP by $50 billion. AAP

How can Australian governments change the game for economic growth?

By John Daley, Grattan Institute

If Australian governments are serious about raising rates of economic growth, they must reform the tax mix and increase the workforce participation rates of women and older people. Each of these reforms…
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Equal pay is not the only obstacle women face in the labour market: there’s also higher unemployment, underemployment, and heightened risk of job insecurity. Victor

Mind the gap, but there’s more to gender equality than pay parity

By Veronica Sheen, Monash University

The quest for equal pay between men and women represents one of the oldest battle lines for feminism. The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) finds that women’s wages are now 17…
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Former Liberian President Charles Taylor in Leidschendam, Netherlands, 05 August 2010. EPA/Vincent Jannink/POOP

The Charles Taylor verdict: a step forward for the women of Sierra Leone

By Lisa Lee, Monash University

The recent decision of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (Special Court) in the trial of former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, is a landmark and historic verdict. Why is the judgement an important…
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Negotiations by women at work continue to be influenced by traditional gender attitudes. Flickr/Seattle Municipal Archives

A lose-lose proposition: what’s really happening when women negotiate

By Mara Olekalns, Melbourne Business School

The “equal pay for equal work” dream is yet to become a reality. Not only do women earn, on average, 17.6% less than men, there are worrying signs that this wage gap may be starting to increase. What…
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Long-term job insecurity affects the quality of life for many women. vlima

Social policy can secure a better future for working women

By Veronica Sheen, Monash University

Against a backdrop of international economic uncertainty, there are pressures for greater labour flexibility as employers complain of costs and reduced competitiveness with the high Australian dollar…
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Convicted murderer Keli Lane is one of Australia’s most famous cases of infanticide. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Safe haven: preventing women from harming their babies

By Lorana Bartels, University of Canberra

In December 2010, Keli Lane, a former champion water polo player, was convicted of the 1996 murder of her two day old daughter, Tegan. The new-born girl was never seen again after leaving the hospital…
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Saudi women are still segregated from men in many walks of life, but next year they will get the right to vote. AFP/Fayez Nureldine

Vote now on a socially inclusive Saudi Arabia as women get to cast their ballot

By Fiona Hill, Deakin University

While Saudi women celebrate their hard-earned right to vote in next year’s Municipal Council elections, the frenzy of international media interest highlights just how mysterious this country remains…
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Women will soon join their male colleagues on the front line in dangerous deployments like Afghanistan. AAP/Australian Department of Defence

Why I want to serve on the front line, despite challenges for women at war

By Natalie Sambhi

I wish to serve my country and the national interest in the best way possible. Now women are to be allowed to serve on the front line becoming an infantry officer is a real possibility. But there are hurdles…
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Thousands of Brits moved to Australia for the thrill of a more glamorous life. But many struggled. Flickr/MarkFaviellPhotos

A moving history: how personal stories illuminate the past

By Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Published biographies, and indeed many histories, are often about the famous, rich or powerful. And most often, they’re about men. I’ve preferred to research and write about so-called “ordinary” men and…
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Government policies have helped women back to work – but the cost is increased stress. AAP

Women back at work earlier, but feeling the stress

By Diana Warren, University of Melbourne

New data has shown that the number of women returning to the workforce earlier is increasing thanks to improving economic conditions and welfare to work initiatives – but they are also feeling the pressure…

Research Briefs (18)

Middle age is key to empathy

University of Michigan

Women in their 50s are more empathetic than men and young adults, a new study has found. Overall adults in their late middle…

Blogging may help new mums connect

Futurity/Penn State University

New mums who read or write blogs are more likely to feel less alone compared with mothers who do not blog. The research…

Participants (122)