The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias, which focusses on creating a gender-equal world; free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
To celebrate the day, we spoke to a few women within our organisation who are actively breaking the bias in their everyday lives. Tenacious, resilient and empowered – we are beyond proud to have these women working in our organisation – happy International Women’s Day!
Aunty Helen Bnads
What inspired you initially to try and ‘BreakTheBias’ (promote inclusivity) in your area?
I am an active member of the Reconciliation Movement, which works towards achieving reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous peoples. Our movement shares perspectives from First Nations’ persons, and encourages others to acknowledge them and all our lands.
What is an example of the type of bias or misunderstandings you encounter/have encountered?
I am a woman of colour and my husband was of Anglo Scottish descent. I reflect on some of our early travels around Northern Australia when I experienced some of the worst racism. My husband and I would split up to go to different shops, and when we met again he would realise that I had not been served; it was as if I didn’t exist, people would simply go in front of me in the queue. He was an advocate for me and would immediately step in and say ‘my wife has been waiting’, ensuring that I was served. When we returned to Melbourne and were looking to rent, I tried for a long time to enquire about accommodation, but with no success. One day, my husband asked me to wait in the car while he went inside to see what rentals were available, he was approved instantly. It wasn’t until I found my own voice that these experiences lessened.
What is the biggest achievement you have experienced while trying to ‘BreakTheBias’?
My work at Peninsula Health has been my biggest achievement; the Balert Bus Tours, involving Peninsula Health staff, tour to Aboriginal Gathering Places for people who want to grow their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers and the challenges they face. The mutual trust and respect of everyone involved, and enthusiasm for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, was heart-warmingly present. We hope to continue with the tours in the future and reinvigorate this initiative, as it was so adored by all.
What message of ongoing support or advice would you give to those experiencing bias now, or those who are demonstrating some sort of bias?
My advice would be educate yourself; learning and understanding helps break the bias and reduces future misunderstandings; speak up when you see bias, find your voice, support others and encourage them to do the same. I would like to also share some of the lyrics from a song by Joyce Johnson Rouse which contains some excellent advice about how, if we all play our part, things will get easier. I think this sums up how we #BreakTheBias.
STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS
by Joyce Johnson Rouse
I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me
I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words
I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future
I am grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth
We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us
They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends
We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge
When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end
I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me
I am honoured by their passion for our liberty
I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer
And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me
Sue Leake
What inspired you initially to try and ‘BreakTheBias’ (promote inclusivity) in your area?
I started my early career as a volunteer with a recreation program for people with disabilities. Our training involved travelling to the city one day in a wheel chair to experience what it was like for people who had to do this daily – it was a life-changing experience! On that journey, I realised how differently people treated me because I was in a wheelchair, speaking over me, ignoring me, and some of the practical challenges I faced such as being served in a shop and using public transport. I realised people judge and assume based on the way you look – whether it’s because you travel by wheelchair or you have wrinkly skin and use a walker. I guess I have always had a passion for overcoming inequity. My career in social work enables me to support people individually, but also to challenge the systems and attitudes that create and perpetuate bias, especially in my current role in the area of elder abuse.
What is an example of the type of bias or misunderstandings you encounter/have encountered?
Every day I see how gender and ageing bias impact how an older woman is treated. In a hospital setting, and across aged care in general, well-meaning health professionals can make assumptions and take away decision-making independence from people. By listening and creating a respectful space in our interactions with older women in our service, we open the door for elder abuse disclosures.
By letting go of our biases we can better support older women who may be the ‘one in six older people experiencing elder abuse’. Women are at a higher risk of experiencing any form of abuse, especially sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and also neglect. Due to the bias of ageism, the societal role of women, and the gendered-nature of violence, older women are more often harmed than older men, and at a higher rate from their adult sons. Additionally, the bias that intimate partner violence stops at 65 years old is just not true.
What is the biggest achievement you have experienced while trying to ‘BreakTheBias’?
I get to spread the word every day that our role as health workers is to listen to what older women want and need – because they know. My mantra is – what does she want? What does she think she needs? This is my way of breaking the bias in my work.
What message of ongoing support or advice would you give to those experiencing bias now?
For all of us, skin is just a wrapping, not something that defines us. The women I meet through the course of my work have done, and still are doing, incredible things in lives to #BreakTheBias. Why don’t we break down more barriers and extend our social networks to include friends of all ages, not just those we are close in age to? #BreakTheBias by mixing up your friendship group #MyNewFriendIs75 – it will certainly enrich your life!
Kylie Webb
What inspired you initially to try and ‘BreakTheBias’ (promote inclusivity) in this area?
Although I have always struggled with my hearing, especially in noisy environments, it wasn’t until the challenges inflicted by COVID-19 restrictions, i.e. masks hindering the ability to read lips and muffling the sound, that I really began to speak up and promote awareness for the hearing-impaired.
Initially, my mission was to promote awareness for Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), as when I was diagnosed I found most people had never heard of the condition. The biggest challenge I face living with NF2 is the loss of hearing. Removal of an acoustic neuroma from my left auditory nerve resulted in me becoming deaf on my left side, and the presence of a right acoustic neuroma has left me with reduced hearing.
What is an example of the type of bias or misunderstandings you encounter/have encountered?
A lot of people believe that hearing loss is something that happens only in old age. I see the look of surprise come across many faces when I ask people to repeat themselves as I am hearing impaired and didn’t catch what they said. A lot of the time, instead of repeating themselves slowly, they begin to raise the volume of their voice significantly (almost shouting at you) as they believe that is the only way you will hear them. However, raising your voice can change the frequency of sound and actually make it harder to hear.
What is the biggest achievement you have experienced while trying to ‘BreakTheBias’?
For a long time, I refused to acknowledge my hearing was impaired or let others know about it, for fear of being treated differently. It took me a long time to realise being hard of hearing wasn’t something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, that it is ok to be different. This is the hand I have been dealt and it’s how I choose to use it that matters most (I wish I had reached that conclusion much earlier). I am proud that I can now be an advocate for people who are hard of hearing, I shout it loud and proud to anyone who will listen. I have given talks to audiology students and clinicians within my workplace, as well as writing blog posts about my journey with NF and hearing loss, but the biggest achievement was the podcast I featured in for the ABC and the article I did for Peninsula Health. The messages of encouragement and thanks I received from people going through the same thing was incredible.
What message of ongoing support or advice would you give to those experiencing bias now?
For most, being hard of hearing or deaf is a hidden disability. My advice is to speak up. It’s ok to tell people you are hard of hearing and the mask they are wearing is preventing you from reading their lips.
Living with a disability can be hard. Keep your head held high and remember that it is ok to be different.
To learn more about NF and Kylie’s journey, please visit the links below:
Kylie’s blog: Living with sneaky tumours (kyliewebb.com)
ABC News Article and Podcast: Before she is deaf, Kylie wants to complete her bucket list of sounds
Kay Wrangles
What inspired you initially to try and ‘BreakTheBias’ (promote inclusivity) in your area?
I started my early career as a dental nurse and went on to study as a Primary School teacher, I have since had varies roles that have helped to broaden my perspective, both inside and outside of healthcare settings. For me, it’s important that no matter what the situation, we show respect to each other, ensure that all people are treated with dignity and that people have an opportunity to live the best life they can. In my role as the Team Leader of the Social Support Groups, I’m privileged to be able to work with a team who share this passion and care about challenging misunderstandings and breaking down barriers.
What is an example of the type of bias or misunderstandings you encounter?
The clients we work with are primarily either over 65 years old, seeking more social support or people with an acquired brain injury. Not all clients are impacted by medical conditions, some just need extra support, such as being taken to and from the group location. More and more, we are realising the very debilitating nature of social isolation. Ageism is a typical area of bias experienced by the clients I work with, for example, it is assumed that females in the group who are older, have no aptitude for technology and the younger members of our team are adept in this area. In reality, the opposite can be true! We have also had feedback from clients who feel they are treated as a person in the group, not someone who is fragile and feels disempowered amongst family.
What is the biggest achievement you have experienced while trying to ‘BreakTheBias’?
We have had many achievements in the team, one I recall relates to a female client who had a medical condition that meant those who cared for her were overly cautious, to the point where they decided that it was safest for her not to go on any group outings. This was despite her really wanting and expressing a desire to do this. It took considerable effort on my part, speaking with those who cared for her (and considering all safety aspects) to explain her wishes. Leaving the home was an important right for the client. Eventually, the Supported Residential Service agreed and it was great to see her enjoying time out with others.
What message of ongoing support or advice would you give to those experiencing bias now or those who are demonstrating some sort of bias?
I would advise everyone to keep reflecting on their actions and words and developing an awareness of their unconscious bias. Often we are not even aware of how our words can impact others, even when we are passionate advocates for breaking the bias. When writing one of the group newsletters in the past, I referred to some of the clients as ‘Seniors’. I reflected on this after attending a Forum around Ageism, where we discussed many of the ways in which we unintentionally stereotype. With increased awareness, I am now more cautious about the language I use in the newsletter now.
My advice to those who witness bias would be to respectfully point it out in a way that the person can reflect on their actions and words. Don’t agree or go along with it when you know it continues to promote bias. Together, we can all help #BreakTheBias.
Laura de Lange
What inspired you initially to try and ‘BreakTheBias’ (promote inclusivity) in your area?
Seeing the inequality in gender pay gaps and lack of female representation on boards and senior management positions across a lot of industries.
What is an example of the type of bias or misunderstandings you encounter/have encountered?
When running a pulmonary rehabilitation program education session, I met a woman who was exhausted from doing all the housework in her home. This was impacting her breathing and lung condition. Her experience highlighted to me the bias of some women who are are still expected to maintain a home by themselves, despite having others in the home who could assist more.
What is the biggest achievement you have experienced while trying to ‘BreakTheBias’?
As mentioned previously, a woman who expressed her struggles to maintain the house while struggling with a medical condition attended one of my pulmonary rehabilitation program education sessions. I provided an opportunity for the group to challenging stereotypical gender roles, and the group posed the question: why was this left to her when there were other adult children in the home who could assist more? I liked that the support came from men and women in the group and helped empower the client to consider saving her energy for more meaningful personal tasks. That is a key concept in occupational therapy, to be able to participate and lead a fulfilling life.
What message of ongoing support or advice would you give to those experiencing bias now?
Be inspired by all the achievements that have occurred so far, by a range of women across different societies and communities. I get inspired by women in sport, with the likes of Ash Barty (tennis), Sam Kerr (soccer), Steph Gilmore and Tyler Wright (surfing), not to mention all the summer and winter Olympic medallists! Over time, our female cricket, soccer, basketball, netball, AFL and rugby 7’s teams have grown their recognition and support from fans, despite receiving less financial assistance than their male counterparts, making their success even more inspirational!