Prominent female leaders have rallied behind a Bendigo councillor who claimed there was a prevalence of disrespectful interactions toward females in public office, suggesting her stance could ultimately help reduce instances of family violence.
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And mayor Margaret O’Rourke has said more general, non gender-based abuse toward councillors and council staff – some of which she described as “filthy” – would not be tolerated.
Women's Health Loddon Mallee executive officer Tricia Currie said preventing violence against women occurred on a number of fronts, including challenging gender stereotypes and gendered language used toward female leaders.
“There’s not just one single action that prevents actions of family violence. Challenging stereotypes and promoting positive images of women is a part of that,” she said.
“Everyone carries some sort of unconscious bias, but we need to call it out.”
Elaborating on her comments at Wednesday’s council meeting, councillor Yvonne Wrigglesworth said she has been surprised with the level of vitriol directed towards her and other councillors since the election in October.
“In the campaign it was all gloves off and part of me was expecting that. I thought once democracy had its say people would try and work with us, but it’s even more fair game.”
“I don’t accept that i should be spoken to differently.”
The Eppalock Ward representative said people often forgot public office was still a workplace, and just like any organisation, females deserved to be treated with respect.
Being a woman in a leadership role was “a tough gig”, Ms Currie said, while adding it was empowering to have leaders in the community calling out sexist behaviour.
Mayor Margaret O’Rourke agreed with her colleague’s comments, arguing some criticism was gender related, while others were public-office related, some of which was “filthy”.
“What disappoints me is there are correspondence that comes into council by people who are very initimidatory, borderline bullying,” she said.
“I won’t tolerate it. I’m staggered by the nature of some of the correspondence.”
Cr O’Rourke said the majority of ratepayers were amenable but they were let down by the minority.
Councillors this week unanimously endorsed the city’s gender equity strategy, which aims to boost gender equality both within the organisation and the wider community.