Work needed on women’s rights
A new campaign to raise awareness of sex discrimination among young women in the workplace has been launched by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
The online educational tool – www.myworkrights.com.au – is designed to help young women identify when discrimination has occurred, including on the basis of sexuality.
Outgoing Victorian Human Rights Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke said the resource was developed following Commission research which showed more than a third of Victorian young women had been discriminated against at work and a third had been sexually harassed.
“While we already knew that lots of young women encounter sexual harassment and discrimination at work, we were also worried by the fact that almost one in five didn’t know whether they had experienced discrimination – which begs the question of whether they recognise discriminatory behaviour,” Szoke said.
Szoke said the findings mirror 2008 Australian research which shows 22 per cent of young women could not identify sexual harassment.
The interactive site uses a Q&A to help women learn what is unacceptable in a workplace.
“The [site] also offers good advice and information designed to support and guide young women who experience sexual harassment, discrimination or victimisation at work,” Szoke said.
An instant messaging service is also attached to the site for women to access free and confidential advice from the Commission on equal opportunity laws.
The site is available online and through social media platforms Facebook and Twitter.
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby convenor Sarah Rogan said the campaign was “much needed” but added the Lobby would like to see sexual orientation included under a separate listing (rather than marital status) in the list of definitions of discrimination on the campaign’s information page – as well as include a section on gender identity for discrimination transwomen may face in the workplace.
“Like all women, LBT women can face sexual harassment and discrimination on the same attributes as straight women [such as] carer responsibilities [and] parental status,” Rogan told the Star Observer.
“While also facing potential discrimination [such as] verbal harassment [and] unfavourable treatment because of their sexuality or gender identity.”
Rogan said the Baillieu Government moves to tighten religious exemptions in Equal Opportunity laws mean lesbian, bisexual and trans women may still be discriminated against when seeking employment.
“Of course, the rights of LBT women to work in certain areas has been compromised by the state government allowing faith-based organisations to discriminate against someone on the basis of sexuality and gender identity when hiring,” she said.
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