MY REFLECTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY If I’m being honest, it saddens me that we celebrate International Women’s Day because shouldn’t women just be equal? As women, we know there is a need to keep championing for a gender-equal world. And whilst it’s not easy, particularly for young women navigating their identity, there are some positives (like the introduction of a Women’s AFL league which has seen packed stadiums, new mentors and role models for young girls, and boys witnessing the makings of gender equality). Personally, International Women’s Day allows me to reflect on what I do, how I can influence equality, and how I can be the best role model possible. As the CEO of Nature Play SA, I strive to lead an organisation with flexible working hours for all employees and challenge male colleagues in other organisations to have equal gender representation on their Boards. I am proud to share our Nature Play SA Board reflects gender equality and features inspiring women as our Ambassador and Patron. But perhaps the most powerful influence I can make for a gender-equal world comes with my role as a Mum.
Raising confident and resilient young women As a Mum to a 14-year-old daughter, Jazz, I strive to empower her and provide opportunities to make her resilient and confident, so she believes she is equal in this world. The language I use is always encouraging and never biased towards gender. There is no such thing as ‘throwing like a girl’. She is a competent young woman who deserves to feel confident, 32
valued and equal. I have always encouraged her to challenge herself physically and mentally, to take risks. To climb the biggest of trees you need to have courage and belief, and from that point, the foundation of resilience begins to unfold. Too often we associate risk-taking with boys and we shouldn’t. What I have learned from my work at Nature Play SA is that society is overprotective of our children when it comes to risk. I see this in our traditional playgrounds where everything is so safe, removing challenges and risks for children. Our children need opportunities for resilience to grow and thrive, and thankfully, our perception of the need for children to take risks is now changing again. New, more challenging and exciting play spaces are being built, allowing children to fail, make their own decisions and learn to assess risks. I have loved watching both my daughter and son explores these places, be brave, and challenge themselves.
The strength in failure My latest request from Jazz has been a desire to play AFL footy. If I had asked my parents this forty years ago, the definitive response would have been ‘no, girls do not play football, it is too rough’. But the rise in women in AFL has enabled me to say a resounding ‘yes’. Providing her the opportunity to experiment in a physical sport enables her to decide whether she wants to play – it’s her choice. I endeavour to let Jazz make her own decisions, but I don’t shield her from the consequences if she makes a mistake, for there are great lessons in failure.
