Southern Cross Grammar students say equality is something they’re lucky to have at school.
A group of 30 middle school students from the Caroline Springs campus last week attended the Young Women and Men: Driving Gender Balance Together forum in Balwyn as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Victoria program.
The aim of the event was to help young people understand the meaning of gender balance, and to think critically about gender stereotypes.
The forum featured a panel of leaders who shared their views on how to empower and invest in youth in the future.
Middle school teacher Darren Brilliant said it was the first time the school had been involved in a forum about helping young boys and girls know what gender equality means.
“The kids have grown up in quite an equitable culture and environment,” he said.
“Some of them might not have been aware that gender equality is even an issue out in the world, and especially in places like the workforce – and they might have only been exposed to it through explicit teaching of the topic in school.”
Year 9 student Kasey Mercieca says she hadn’t experienced gender inequality, but was keen to learn how she could help others who had.
“I know what it is and I know that it happens in the workforce and in sports sometimes,” she says. “I’m grateful that everyone at my school treats boys and girls equally.”
Duke of Edinburgh Victoria chief executive Anoushka Gungadin says the issue is spread worldwide.
“Gender inequality sometimes starts at home, often continues in the playground and definitely shows up in the workplace,” she says.
