Dog-whistling: saying one thing but making it very clear you mean another. Politicians have made an art of it, while corporations sidestep it and commentators relish using it. Now Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer has called it out, putting journalists and businesses on notice about sexist dog-whistlers.
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Speaking at the launch of the 2016 The Australian Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards, Mr Hartzer (father of four girls) emphasised how language perpetuates outdated attitudes.
"We have seen in the past couple of months a number of cases where there are still unconscious biases and conscious biases, and I would make the observation that language is a really important thing," he said.
"My reflection ... would be that we need to watch out for dog-whistlers when it comes to gender equality and inclusion."
Mr Hartzer's comments come amid increasing consternation over how language should and should not be used in the push for gender equality. Chairman of the Diversity Council, 2016 Australian of the Year and former Army chief David Morrison is facing ongoing criticism for decrying use of the informal greeting term "Guys" in the workplace.
Mr Morrison was making a broader point about raising awareness around the use of gender-based language, or marginalising terms such as "Gay".
Friday's launch of the 2016 Women of Influence awards brought together high-profile business and media personalities, including Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs, Social Ventures Australian chairman Paul Robertson, television presenter Melissa Doyle and former sex discrimination commissioner Liz Broderick, who founded the Male Champions of Change program.
Keynote speaker Ann Sherry reminded women that influence is something they must actively choose to use, to go outside the everyday sphere of home and work responsibilities.
"There is a richness that gives, that you can't really explain until you get to the end of it," she said. "Choosing one or two extra things, that most of us have the power and opportunity to be involved in, is what changes the world."
Fairfax Media, publisher of this paper, is a partner with the 100 Women of Influence Awards, which are designed to increase the visibility of women's leadership in Australia and celebrate and encourage those women who have the courage to make a difference.
For more information and to nominate someone for the 2016 awards, see 100womenofinfluence.com.au.
