We nearly had the first female US president. Instead we got a president who belittles women. What a year.
The best moments for women in 2016:
1. In July, Dr Anne Aly became the first female Muslim MP in Australia and Linda Burney became our first female Aboriginal MP.
2. Lady Gaga performed with sexual assault victims at the Oscars
3. Dior appointed its first female creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri.
4. The scourge of violence against women and children stayed high on the nation’s agenda, with Victoria launching a Royal Commission into Family Violence and promising to implement all 227 of its recommendations. The Federal Government also pledged $100 million to combat domestic violence.
5. The Australian women’s rugby sevens win gold at the Rio Olympics, inspiring young women everywhere and changing the way we think of this traditional ‘men’s’ sport.
The worst moments for women in 2016:
1. The first female nominee for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton, loses to a bullying vulgarian reality TV show host.
2. That same reality TV host becomes president-elect of the United States despite bragging that he can grab women “by the pussy” because he’s famous.
3. A November Senate enquiry finds that over half of women studying medicine expect to endure sexist treatment, such as men saying “Aren’t women supposed to be smart nowadays? Isn’t that why we’re letting them in?” if they want to advance their career.
4. Top sports boss Eddie McGuire joked about drowning fellow sports commentator Caroline Wilson. “I reckon we should start the campaign for a one-person slide next year,” McGuire said about a charity water sport. “Caroline Wilson. And I’ll put in 10 grand straight away… make it 20. And if she stays under, 50.”
5. Port Stephens mayor and domestic violence perpetrator Cr. Bruce Mackenzie decides to open a domestic violence shelter named after … him. Thankfully he changed his mind after protests from victim advocates.
