Why the government has no business talking about International Women’s Day

Content Warning: this article talks about sexual assault, rape and violence against women. 

It was unsurprising, yet disappointing, to hear that Scott Morrison, along with Anthony Albanese, would be co-hosting the UN Women’s Australian launch of International Women’s Day (IWD). With the two men speaking to the theme of ‘Choose to Challenge’, it seems that not even International Women’s Day is a good enough occasion to actually hear from women. Even more disturbing is the Prime Minister’s false concern over promoting gender equality whilst seemingly ignoring the extent of the sexual assault crisis currently unfolding in Parliament House. 

Morrison’s speech for IWD was framed by three key talking points: ‘reflect, protect, respect’. He claimed that respect “stems from...shared humanity”, before asking - just as vaguely - for us to “protect against those who would disrespect women”. Who are those people that disrespect women, you might ask? Members of parliament perhaps? Your own sitting cabinet members? 

Morrison also repeatedly returned to his claims that he had been “reflecting” on how “traumatic” the past weeks have been. Here, he vaguely referenced the emergence of several allegations of assault and rape against past and present politicians without actually making any commitment to action. Reflection is meaningless if you choose to stand by cabinet minister Christian Porter, who has been accused of the rape of a 16 year old girl in 1988. 

It’s not just the IWD speech that demonstrates Morrison’s disregard for genuine action though. In addressing Brittany Higgins’ allegations that a male politician raped her in 2019, Morrison apparently couldn’t fathom the significance of the accusation without making it about himself. 

“Jenny and I spoke last night and she said to me, you have to think about this as a father. What would you want to happen if it were our girls?” he said. 

If Morrison can only muster any sense of empathy by invoking his family, he really has no business being a politician. Genuine concern over men’s violence means believing survivors whether or not you have daughters - because women are autonomous human beings who deserve respect regardless of their relationship to you. 

Morrison’s IWD speech was a slap in the face to the women screaming to have their stories heard. Neither he nor the Liberal party are qualified to be talking about women today - or ever. Even if this trend of allegations against Liberal party members is suggestive of a deeper cultural issue specific to our nation’s conservatives, let’s not forget that allegations of rape have also been made against a current Labor MP in federal Parliament.

All sides of politics are responsible for genuinely acknowledging their role in perpetuating sexual violence, removing all politicians accused of rape and seriously renewing their commitment to equality through proper training and education so that all accusations are taken seriously - and so sexual assault never happens in the first place. 

As lawyer and anti-violence campaginer, Tarang Chawla stated in his recent Facebook post, “we take issue with the abject failure of male leaders to treat sexual violence seriously and to deal with it appropriately”. We take issue with the men who claim to care, when time and time again, they show that they simply don’t. 

I wish I could say that I #ChoosetoChallenge male politicians to make some meaningful action towards gender equality - but I have no faith in them at all. Instead, this IWD, I’ll be listening to survivors and celebrating their courage in standing up to a system that refuses to listen. 

Power to Brittany Higgins, Dhanya Mani and Grace Tame. Power to the trans women and women of colour who continue to battle sexual violence at disporportionate rates. Power to the First Nations communities leading the way in the call for an end to sexual violence. Power to the thousands of people who have made testimonies in Chanel Contos’ online petition calling for early consent education schools. Power to my courageous friends. You are the leaders I’ll be listening to. 

If this article has been triggering or caused any emotional distress, please reach out: 

1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732

Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 

University of Sydney SRC Caseworker: +61 9660 5222

SUPRA Student Advice and Advocacy Service: +61 2 9351 3715

NSW Rape Crisis Centre: 1800 424 017