Changing the game

Have you been to a cupcake – sorry, International Women’s Day – session today?

It’s easy to be cynical about a day that often seems to be more about ticking boxes than highlighting how far we’ve come (a fair distance), or how much further we have to go (a long way).

But I did go to a thought-provoking panel discussion hosted by the WA chapter of Women In Media last night. There wasn’t a cupcake in sight but a lot of very accomplished women and the odd male (well, they may not have been odd, just not many of them).

There was broadcast legend Karen Tighe, whose retirement late last month from the ABC to focus on her health was met with a much-deserved outpouring of love and respect. And world champion pole vaulter Nina Kennedy, who made headlines for a striking (and heartwarming) decision to share the spoils of victory. And football pioneer Kerry Harris, whose tireless work gave her a front-row seat to the Matildas’ 30 year journey to ‘overnight success’. All women at the top of their respective games.

Among the former media friends I was delighted to bump into, there were a couple who expressed surprise at how much they enjoyed the session. Not because of the women involved, but because of the sports-related topic: She’s a Legend: Women’s sport seizing the Matildas moment.

I think that's because while the questions explored might have been directed at each panel member in terms of the roles they have played in sport (administrator, athlete and journalist), the themes were universal for women in almost every profession.

Representation. Parity. Equality. Fairness. Removing the roadblocks that so many women still face in their workplace (and society in general).

As a journalist, I was particularly struck by the throwback video clip in which Karen was being questioned about the criticism she might face for reporting on sports (read: men’s sports) that she hadn’t played. Everyone laughed and squirmed in equal measure but the truth is those questions are still being asked. Just look at the online trolling of some female commentators, who are every bit as knowledgeable as their male counterparts.

I had a similar situation in roughly the same era on the sports desk of a Melbourne newspaper. When I started, my (male) boss told me not to edit certain (male) writers. When I gamely (or stupidly, depending on your point of view) ignored that instruction because one of those writers badly needed editing and that was my job, the boss did not berate me. Perhaps he realised I was more than capable. But he never said a word and just left me to get on with the job from then on.

But it was the assumption that I wouldn’t 'get' AFL, then only the domain of men, that really annoyed me. I had a good grasp of the topic in fact, having grown up with it, and if I were stuck for any reason, I would have asked for advice from someone more senior or more knowledgeable. Like any professional, no matter their gender, should do.

The idea that we must have ‘skin in the game’ to be able to report, write or edit a topic is ludicrous. It’s like telling a male obstetrician that he couldn't possibly know how to deliver babies properly because he hasn't got a vagina of his own to push one out of. (Though, to be honest, I was kind of tempted to say something along those lines during labour with my first child when my male obstetrician kept telling me I wasn’t pushing hard enough. I think he had a dinner to get to.)

It's called work, people. You just do the work. You study, you get experience, you prepare, you improve, you learn some more. And, slowly but surely, you become accomplished in your field.

There was no denying the expertise of the women on the stage last night. They earned the right to be where they are through ability, tenacity and hard work. And I am sure they had to work even harder because of their gender.

I hope that if my 16 year old finds her passion in a male-dominated field in the future that those kinds of loaded questions are no longer being asked. It shouldn’t matter if you’ve played footy or given birth. It should be about the attitude and the skills you bring to the table (or field) and the work you do when you’re given the opportunity.

To all those who have done the work, often in the face of unfair odds, and keep on doing it, Happy International Women’s Day. I’m grateful for all of you.