OPINION: It was almost too perfect. Just days before International Women’s Day 2022, a tweet: “Fonterra is having a Women's Day panel event and ALL THE SPEAKERS ARE MEN”.
Of course it went viral, and of course I - a raging feminist who is deeply cynical about this day for women - was sent it by various people who were either horrifed or thought it was hilarious. I laughed and raged somewhere in between.
Fonterra’s initial response was equally as problematic
“Kia ora, we know this doesn’t look great and want to share a bit more context. We have a range of events lined up for International Women's Day. We have inspiring females sharing their stories and this panel of male allies talking about the important role […] males play in helping to overcome bias in the workplace. Both views are equally as important to achieve change. We’re really committed to improving gender diversity.”
(The panel has since been updated to include two women and one man, and the company has admitted that it didn’t get it right).
Then, over the weekend, another gift from the feminist gods. “Are you a feminist?” asked Newshub’s Oriini Kaipara as she closed her interview with National leader Christopher Luxon, referencing International Women’s Day.
That is one of those classic soft-ball questions often put to celebrities or politicians, their response taken as a measure of their social conscience or lack of relatability, depending on the media platform doing the asking. Back in the early days of ‘lean in feminism’, it was often used for an easy soundbite and click bait headlines so in this instance it almost felt like we were being trolled. But I trust that Oriini Kaipara knows what she’s doing; her presence on screen as the first woman with a moko kauae to anchor a primetime news bulletin being one rare positive story of representation and progress.
“Absolutely,” answered Luxon, who has said in the past that he is pro-life, equated abortion to murder and believes there are bigger issues than abortion for New Zealanders to focus on.
“I want my daughter to have exactly the same opportunities my son has and as you look at my record at Air New Zealand where we worked really hard to build women from 16 percent of the top 100 jobs up to 44 percent in a very short period of time.”
He also referenced how the company reduced the pay equity gap while he was there (which does deserve recognition), and his front bench line-up and wish for more diversity and inclusion.
“I want my daughter to have the same opportunities as my son.”
My eyes rolled and my shoulders tensed. The ‘I have a daughter and therefore am interested in the rights of women’ response is one of the most tired cliches of feminist discourse, often used by men and/or those who lack understanding of intersectionality.
Both moments were a bit of a laugh, but they also reminded me of how far we really have to go. I’ve covered a fair few IWD’s in my time, having worked in ‘women’s interest’ and fashion media right at the peak of girl boss/lean in feminism - when Dior put ‘we should all be feminists’ on a T-shirt.
I’ve been cynical about it for years, but this year feel particularly jaded (although maybe I‘m just tired in general; we all are). The ‘inspiring strong empowered women uplifting women talking about their achievements’ trope surrounding it just isn’t enough anymore - especially as, after years of progress with #MeToo and #TimesUp, we seem to be creeping backwards in many respects.
Think of the misogynistic comments about prime minister Jacinda Ardern that have been increasing in their violence and intensity, reaching a vile peak at last week’s protest. Or Grace Tame being criticised for not smiling at Australian prime minister Scott Morrison.
It’s platforms like Beneath the Glass Ceiling NZ, which anonymously shares stories of alleged abuse within the local music industry, being threatened with legal action.
It’s the ongoing impact of this pandemic on women and the industries that traditionally hire them (and the often silent and untracked double domestic burden).
And it’s Aotearoa’s gender pay gap which, according to pay gap registry Mind the Gap that launched today, sits at 11 percent for Pākehā women, 17 per cent for Asian women, 19 per cent for Māori women, and 27 per cent for Pasifika women.
It’s lightweight pop culture moments that are actually pretty alarming when put into context: Kanye’s public harassment of ex-wife Kim Kardashian being glorified and dismissed (his mental health issues being treated as entertainment is equally as bad), and Pam and Tommy exploiting Pamela Anderson’s trauma.
It’s fast fashion brands posting about empowerment but refusing to pay their workers a fair wage and give them basic working conditions. It’s fashion’s burgeoning re-fascination with skinniness and the fashion of the 2000s; a subtle creeping backlash against the positive progress of recent years when it comes to body type and representation.
So what’s the point of International Women’s Day? In the sea of panels, breakfasts, press releases in my inbox and Instagram posts about ‘strong women’, it's easy to overly indulge in the cynicism that my own privilege allows me and lose sight of the original purpose. That is, drawing attention to gender bias and what we can all do to overcome inequality for all; within your own life, sure, but more importantly, for those women in your community and around the world who don’t have the same privileges as you - or your daughter.
