Sally Moyle’s has been an active voice in Australia striving for the rights of women there. As the principal sector specialist- gender equality at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Government’s aid agency AusAID, her focus has been to ensure that women, their interests, rights and perspectives are considered on par with men when it comes to developmental issues. This former legal practitioner was in Hyderabad for a three-day international workshop on ‘Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation’ delegation from Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) countries held recently.
Looking back at her 17 years of work in the field, Sally says, “When we look back, we realise we have a come a long way but still have a long way to go.” She feels encouraged when she sees more and more women taking up leadership positions and becoming economically independent. “However, there are challenges,” she admits and elaborates, “Violence against women is like an epidemic. In Australia, statistics show 30 per cent of women have experienced either domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime. All countries have signed the convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly. We still haven’t been able to crack it (violence against women) up.”
Sharing her observations on India, she says, “Indian society is evolving and coming out of its traditional norms. There are some constraints but we have also seen some powerful women here. From women’s organisations fighting for rights and academicians and women in business and politics like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi… there are some great examples of gender equality in India. Not only that, women in self-help groups in villages also show a kind of empowerment to equality.”
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Safety for women in public places has been a vehement issue and Sally asserts it is every woman’s right to be in a place where she wants. “Sexual violence is not a woman’s fault. Men have to change their attitude. Men should just put a full stop to their act. Think about it, it is men and their behaviour that has to undergo change,” she says. Supporting her comment with a research finding, she says, “Before puberty, the range of safety is bigger in girls’ space. However, after puberty, the girls’ space is seen contracted as they feel less safe and it is wrong. Girls should feel as safe as anybody else. Why restrict women and their mobility?”
The modern woman finds herself in a pressure zone while balancing her personal and professional commitments.
Sally says, “Australian women are sandwiched between managing children and aged parents. It’s a double shift as they have to take care of their family too. Men haven’t changed and women feel immensely pressurised. Men should take up their right to care for their kids,” she says. Although changing the mindset is a big challenge, Sally says the future looks positive. “Violence against women brings a bad name to men. I see a lot of young men on social media raising their voice against this violence, which is fabulous. Equality benefits us and when we share power, all grow together,” she says as a parting shot.
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