Let’s Admire Julia for Once

Julia Gillard, who despite being the first female PM of Australia is a constant subject of ridicule by the media and public.

Having grown up in a conservative world, I’ve always seen women play second fiddle to their male counterpart in all realms of society contrary to my belief that women are equally competitive, if not a step ahead of men. So when I set foot in Australia three years ago I thought gender divide is a relic in this part of the world but such hasn’t been the case.

I’m no news freak but I can spend close to an hour reading the newspaper and keeping myself abreast of the goings-on in the community. And I am convinced that there’s a huge gender divide in this country at every professional level in terms of both salary and rank; it just rolls on. For instance, during my research on the subject of gender bias in sports journalism in Melbourne in 2011, I had the fortune of interviewing a couple of high-profile sports journos both female and male who revealed that sexism is truly rife in the industry and that it was just the tip of the iceberg.

We only have to go as far as the Prime Minister of this country, Julia Gillard, who despite being the first female PM of Australia is a constant subject of ridicule by the media and public. I’m no Gillard supporter but from my limited knowledge of politics, she has let down the people on numerous occasions by going back on her word many a time. Example: the much-talked about carbon tax.

I wonder if she happened to be male, would she have copped as much criticism and mockery from all and sundry? Let’s admit it – a woman is viewed as a soft target in society and if she happens to occupy a high-profile position, the derision goes up two-fold.

“People believe they can say things about the PM which, if she were a bloke, would never have been said. Former PM John Howard copped it from the left, but never as bad as the language that is often used against Gillard” 

– Simon Benson from the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

Gillard is the first woman to run the nation and one that evidently people are not comfortable with, which is why the media constantly takes pot-shots at her with an added obsession towards her hair, clothes, make-up and voice. She might be the most unpopular PM this country has ever had and is not going to win the next election but she’s an immensely strong woman and you can’t fault me for saying that.

This is 2013 but sexism still prevails in the ‘lucky country’ and the PM needs to be applauded for staying on top in a man’s world.