WFEA at #March4Justice March 2021
When the #March4Justice marches were announced, the Women for Election team went into overdrive. We were going to attend. We were going to take an active part. We were going to make our voices heard.
Many of our board members, volunteers and friends made the trek to Canberra and others attended in their home cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Here are some of the take-aways from our team.
Licia Heath, Chief Executive Officer
The empowering thing about attending these marches is less about the speeches or the signs (although both can be moving and fun) – it’s about the connection you feel with those around you. Whether they’re 80 or 18, or black or white, or able-bodied or not, or whether it’s your first march or your fiftieth – the solidarity that comes from knowing those around you recognise the problem and want to join you in addressing it is powerful.
For me… of equal power is the recognition I see dawning on people’s faces that to improve things from here, we need to get more gender and cultural diversity in our Parliaments. So here’s to more #womeninthehouse!
Jennifer Morris, Founder and Chair
In the last 2 decades of working for justice and equality for women, I don’t remember feeling as angry and as hopeful as I do right now. I am angry that we are still dealing with the same issues and hopeful as I listen to the amazing brave young women who are speaking up.
It feels like a new movement is building and it’s all-embracing… a sisterhood of women across generations, cultures, political persuasions, religions, and gender identities. A roar demanding to be heard.
Coleen MacKinnon, Director
In the wake of the historic #March4Justice, bringing 100,000 women together in over 40 cities and towns across Australia, Women for Election Australia (WFEA) caught up with dozens of #CredibleWomen in Canberra to celebrate solidarity and consider, “What’s next?”
In addition to the tireless efforts of academics, advocates and journalists, WFEA is working diligently to identify, inspire and equip women, from all across Australia, to stand for public office. When women are equally represented in our Parliaments and Legislatures, when the voices of 51% of the population are finally heard and their unique experiences considered in policy setting and lawmaking — then, we will have achieved true equality.
Amanda Webb, Director
Cecilia Timm, Director
My mother and I attended the Sydney #March4Justice and it was amazing. What a marvellous group of energised and activated people. The diversity was heartwarming, the collective rage relatable and an underlying feeling of hope uplifting. It’s hard to believe that we’re still asking for equality. I really thought we would have solved this by now. How is it still a thing? The fact that in 2021 a woman is valued less than a man financially, is more likely to be sexually assaulted, feels unsafe a lot of the time and can not be guaranteed safety in her home or workplace is horrifying.
Imagine the potential that could be unleashed if women no longer had to fight for equality or be ever vigilant about their personal safety. Let’s find out. Let’s change the way society treats, remunerates, belives and supports women. I can’t wait to see what we are collectively capable of.
The time for change and reckoning has come. Women have been too polite asking too sweetly for way too long. Women’s resilience has been grossly underestimated for waaaaay too long. Vote wisely, vote for women, run for office.
Andrew Butler, Director
The mood at #March4Justice in Sydney on Monday was reflective of the mood I’ve seen in many of the women in my life in recent weeks. There was an excitement, a sense of optimism that we may be approaching a tipping point and that things may actually change. And there was an outward display of humour, in the signs and banners, in the chants, in the conversations.
But just beneath the surface, there’s also visceral anger at the injustice. And it’s clearly deeply personal. A sense of exasperation and a growing impatience. And an element of sadness. As a male, it was my time to show up, to listen, to learn and contemplate how WFEA might help move the needle and improve the lives and safety of women in Australia.
Kat Dunn, Director
Ruth McGowan OAM, Author & Facilitator
Now that we’ve marched, whats next?
Women have been asking for equality for a long time, and clearly, our requests have not been headed. It’s time for change. Enough is Enough. We can change the culture from the inside and the answer is for women to get elected. If we achieve gender parity in public office, the culture will change. The more women in the room, not only are there likely to be better outcomes, there is likely to be better behaviour.
If you want to get elected, we are here to help. It’s our sole purpose. We run in-person and online workshops to educate women and their support teams on how to get elected. Sign up for a workshop now and get elected.
2000 by 2022
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