Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
On this International Women’s Day, we recognise the progress made towards equality for Tasmanian women and girls, and honour their achievements. There is still, however, long way to go, and we can’t be complacent in the ongoing struggle for equality.
Tasmania has celebrated women as Premier, Speakers of the House of Assembly, Governors, and achieved equal representation in our Parliament. Despite this, gender inequality is entrenched and there’s still a concrete ceiling in place for many women across the professions.
Tasmanian women are still paid less than men*, still have less superannuation for retirement, and continue to face discrimination and gender inequality on a daily basis.
Older Tasmanian women are at markedly higher risk of homelessness, a truth exacerbated by the Rockliff Government’s failure to take a single meaningful step to tackle the rental crisis.
Meanwhile, transgender women face vile attacks and discrimination. They need leaders from across the political spectrum to speak up for their rights and to challenge hateful, harmful rhetoric.
Without constant efforts to break down entrenched patriarchal structures that hold women back, the UN says it will take 300 years for women to achieve equality, and rightly points out global progress on women’s rights is “vanishing before our eyes”.
As the Greens join today’s International Women’s Day march, we are ever mindful that the struggle continues.
*Data released by the Australia Institute confirms the average working woman earns $476 less each week than the average working man. Over their lifetimes, women earn $1million less than their male counterparts, with men having higher average salaries than women in 95% of occupation.