How misogyny has impacted my career since 1996
So many brave young women are now sharing stories of workplace misogyny, actively helping us progress towards a more equitable society with employers that include and support people of all genders. I thought I’d follow their lead and share my story too, in a way that makes sense to me.
In comparison to many women - particularly those who experience intersectional bigotry - my experiences with misogyny are probably quite mild. If you find this shocking, please keep that in mind. It’s also important to understand that misogyny is the enemy, not any particular gender. We can all choose to participate or not. I’ve had detractors and supporters of all genders throughout my career.
As the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency flags yet another alarming pay gap this year, and denialists try to delegitimise the evidence, it’s important to understand the lived experiences of women in the workplace so that the data has a human face.
I hope this gives you an insight into how misogyny can erode people over time, that it is a culture not a series of isolated incidents. I hope it helps you to tell your story too. Personal testimonies help us tell the truth together.
