Each year a Maitland high school selects an issue pressing on the nation’s conscience and fixes its attention.
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Over the last five years, All Saints College St Peter’s’ Social Justice Day has highlighted and explored issues including asylum seekers, homelessness and children in detention.
But this year gender equality – from career options to domestic violence – was front and centre.
Students spent last Thursday undertaking gender role-reversal activities that dismantled gender stigma and challenged traditional ideas about career choices.
“As a school community, we feel we should be leading the way in stopping gender inequality and violent behaviours when our students are at such a critical age,” said school social justice co-ordinator, Emma Candlish.
Jilaroo Caitlin Moran and NRL Maitland held an equal playing field workshop that undermined sporting stereotypes and the barriers that exist in sport for women.
CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, Moo Baulch and Domestic Violence activist, Kay Schubach spoke with students about extreme cases of gender inequality in our society with a focus on discrimination, violence, racism, women’s rights and respectful relationships.
Year 9 students Claudia Minter and Victoria Allen are members of the social justice comittee that, each year, takes a poll of the student body to select the issue.
“Today is about raising the issue of gender equality for both sexes,” Miss Minter said.
Miss Allen said she was glad the school decided to confront gender inequality this year, particularly given the increasing public focus on domestic violence.
“It’s a broad issue that affect people across the community,” she said.
“We need to stop the assumption that aggression and violence are okay in any form.”
While Maitland has recently made headlines for its high rates of domestic violence, Miss Allen said she believes her fellow students wanted to discuss gender inequality for bigger reasons.
“I don’t think the students necessarily know [about Maitland’s high rates of domestic violence] but that’s part of today,” she said.
“It’s something they should know about,” Miss Minter added.
