There is hope
Many women are understandably feeling traumatised, triggered, overwhelmed and exhausted. And it would be easy to think it is all bad news and nothing is changing.
But there is hope. As a result of what’s emerged, we’ve seen an outpouring of rage from people around Australia who are fed up with the way we treat women and victim-survivors. As an organiser of the recent March 4 Justice rally in Canberra, I saw firsthand the collective anger and frustration directed at federal parliament and wider society and the thirst for change.
I’m also taking heart from the many Australians some household names, some less well-known who are fighting for change and making a difference to gender equality. Here are just nine.
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex have made support for the NHS and for volunteering services major parts of their work during the coronavirus pandemic. The sevend ays just gone were no different with more backing for those caring for the ill and the most vulnerable in society during a time that has challenged everyone. Here’s a look back at the Wessex Week.
The Earl and Countess joined other members of the Royal Family in a virtual celebration of Commonwealth Day as the week got under way.
Sophie took part in a video discussion, led by TV presenter June Sarpong, about the importance of female leadership to local communities across the Commonwealth. The Countess was reunited with Virginia Kunguni who she met during her visit to Malawi. Virginia runs Girls Arise for Change, an organisation set up to increase and improve access to education for young women in Malawi. She also spoke to Caitlin Figuerido, who helps lead Jasiri Australia which works across the C
Sophie Wessex appeared from inside her family home
The video recording, meanwhile, unveiled a framed painting mounted upon one wall.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have called Bagshot Park in Surrey their home for over 20 years, after moving in shortly after their royal wedding in 1999.
The media from Sophie s latest appearance were shared on the Royal Family s official Twitter account with the caption: Marking both Commonwealth Day and #InternationalWomensDay, the Countess of Wessex spoke to three women from around the Commonwealth about their experiences of supporting other women and their wider communities.
Sophie was joined by: Caitlin Figueiredo, founder and CEO of Jasiri Australia, which aims to transform women and girls access to politics; Virginia Khunguni, founder of Girls Arise for Change , an initiative to help girls who have escaped early marriages, sexual exploitation and child labour, and June Sarpong, Prince s Trust ambassador and co-founder of international c
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Speaking to Express.co.uk, body language expert Judi James explained Sophie’s body language is pretty similar to the Queen’s.
She said: “Sophie’s rather lengthy appearance during the Commonwealth Celebrations did seem to reflect the level of esteem she is held in by the Queen currently.
“She also created a similar on-screen presence to the Queen in terms of body language and mood, with both women seen on video calls wearing smiles of pure keenness and delight and creating a very motivational presence via some keen active listening signals.”
The Queen also made an appearance yesterday as well as addressing the nation just hours before Meghan and Harry s Oprah interview aired.
Sophie spoke with female activists during her pre-recorded segment, where she suggested the debate on women s rights should be widened to a much more level playing field to prevent fatigue setting in.
The countess said: There can become a bit of a fatigue when it comes to talking about women s rights, women s issues and everything. And so I m quite keen to try and move the discussion into a place where it becomes a much more level playing field because it is a win, win - it s not one against the other.
Sophie made the comments in response to a comment by Caitlin Figueiredo, founder and chief executive of the social enterprise Jasiri Australia, which aims to increase women s and girls access to politics.