Posted: 10 July by Kristi

Elisabeth Broderick, the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, spoke at lunch in Sydney this week.  She's been on a 'listening tour'... and, guess what, she has a blog too.

I was struck by her words as she spoke about the dark reality (my words) for many women in the workforce who are retiring around Australia.  The biggest "new" issue in Discrimination is the lack of funds Australian women have going into retirement.  50% of women aged 48 - 55 years have $8,000 in superannuation.  Elizabeth says we are looking at a generation of women, many of whom have worked as carers and support people in our families and communities, entering retirement poverty.

The "old" issue is still pervasive.  There are still women being harassed at work.  Earlier this week there was the story of a woman who cited bullying from men at the fire station where she worked in Cooma as contributing to a life so difficult to deal with that she ended her life.  Today, in the SMH the men who worked at the station at the time denied the harassment saying that she was looking for someone to blame.  Boof. (Speak to anyone who works in community services in Southern NSW and they will tell you about the lack of available services for men and women and youth living there. It's a tough gig.)

What...?  Huh...?  Feel like you've been hit by a semi?

Yes, me too.