Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Australian women mark another milestone with ordination of first woman Bishop
The consecration in Perth tomorrow of Australia’s first woman Bishop signals a major inroad in eliminating discrimination against women in all walks of life, federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said today.
“Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy’s appointment as the first woman Bishop in Australia signals a turning point for the church and the nation as a whole,” Commissioner Broderick said.
“Congratulations to Archdeacon Goldsworthy on her consecration tomorrow and to the Anglican Church for breaking down a barrier that women have faced in Australia - the first female Bishop was consecrated in the United States in 1989.
“Let’s hope it does not take another 20 years before we see other churches and major institutions in Australian society following suit,” she said.
“Although there is now a more equal playing field for women and men in the Australian Anglican community there are still many more fields to level.”
Commissioner Broderick said equality between Australian women and men remained a challenging but relevant task, considering that 51 per cent of the population were still grossly under-represented in boardrooms, the judiciary and in politics.
“Women make up just 12 per cent of executive manager positions in the ASX top 200 companies and just three per cent of CEO positions; women comprise only 13 per cent of the bench; and women still earn less than men - receiving just under 84 cents for every dollar a man earns,” she said.
Ms Broderick said Archdeacon Goldsworthy’s appointment as Australia’s first woman Bishop was one of four major milestones Australia had reached over the last year, including: a federal Ministry and outer Cabinet comprising nearly 25 per cent of women; Australia’s first female Deputy Prime Minister; and the announcement of the first female Governor General.
Commissioner Broderick also congratulated Canon Barbara Darling who was announced the first woman Bishop of Melbourne late last month.
“These are significant developments of which we should all be incredibly proud,” she said.
“But we need to ensure that equality between Australian women and men is an expected occurrence, rather than being so unusual that it becomes news,” Ms Broderick said.
Media contact: Louise McDermott on (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
