Leaning Out

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In Leaning Out, journalist Kristine Ziwica examines a decade of stagnation in gender equality in Australia and how the pandemic has sparked a pivotal change. The 2020 Women's March highlighted a new generation of women challenging the status quo and reshaping perceptions of women in the workplace. For years, Australian women have been promised that individual empowerment could overcome entrenched gender inequality, with solutions framed as personal rather than structural. However, strategies like leaning in and power-posing have yielded minimal results, leaving many women underpaid and overworked compared to their male counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the precarious nature of women's employment and provided a unique chance for reimagining the future. Yet, as many women face job losses, they are still urged to 'Lean In' at a time when they are increasingly 'leaning out.' With most job losses during the pandemic affecting women and governments failing to address gender disparities, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Leaning Out serves as a manifesto for leveraging this moment to advocate for meaningful change. This work is part of The Crikey Read series, which offers an independent perspective on pressing issues in Australia and beyond.