A "Girl" Look

*NOTE: As a PR practioner, I have decided that I will not be “for” this argument. I will abide with PRIA’s code of ethics and only write in what I believe is right.*


Australian Federal Government


Seeking Governor for Western Australia


JOB DETAILS


CEO of State


Responsible for running the state of government


In charge of the national guard


Enforcing state laws and legislation


Creating new policies


Effect votes


Build relationships within the international/national states to enhance the lives of Australians through crime prevention and law enforcement.


THE ‘IDEAL’ Governor


We are looking for applicants who;


• enjoy a varied and challenging career


• are fit and healthy


• have life experience and maturity


• accept responsibility and make decisions


• show initiative while accepting the scrutiny and accountability of working in a disciplined organisation


• have good communication skills


PREREQUISITES


Applicants must meet the following essential criteria:


1. be at least 18 years of age at commencement of training


2. be physically fit and healthy


3. declare any criminal history


4. demonstrate general computer skills


5. pass all medical tests


To find out more about your ‘Career with a Cause’ contact the recruit Australian Federal Government office on 1800 005 099 or email pfesrecruitment@pfes.nt.gov.au


SINCE WHEN DID “FEMALE” BECOME A JOB PREQUESITE?!


Generation Y is being told that they can do whatever they want and be whomever they want to be. And I truly embrace this new mindset. Being a bit of a feminist myself, I truly believe that women, can do an equally good job at whatever is proposed of them when compared to their male counterparts. But recently, Australians have really amped up their “revolutionary” opinions to a comical and (in my opinion, offensive) degree. It’s become somewhat of a spectacle and for those women who rave on about “needing” a new female governor for no reason or argument other than their sex; to these so called “feminists” I shake my head in disappointment.


I understand that this is a new era and with a new era comes a hype revolutionary thinking “outside the box.” When did this hype of thinking outside the norm become such a trend? When Halle Berry, the first African American woman won best actress at the Oscars? When Obama became the first black president? When Julia Gillard became the first Prime Minister of Australia? It just really makes me question just what was the 60’s feminist movement was about.


Was it about fighting for equal opportunity and equality or was it just about females being the “dominant” in the world? WHAT WAS THE BRA BURNING ABOUT?


What truly left me baffled was a quote by Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Yvonne Henderson:


"There's no lack of good candidates and I hope the Government does go ahead and appoint a woman," "Just to send a message that women are as competent and are able to do all the same sorts of jobs that men do."

I found it a hugely patronizing remark. Just to send a message that women are as competent and are able to do all the same sorts of jobs that men do suggests that women should be appointed for roles not on skills, experience or merit, but just to prove a point is certainly ironic for the equal opportunities commission no less.

To me, I find it a reverse sexism and we are not “Moving Forward” but taking decades of steps back.


It upsets balance of equality when a role needs to be interpreted as one that is performed traditionally and the same role that is done by a woman. It points out that there is a standard that is of the norm and a women’s standard (which is viewed as inferior.)


Margaret Thatcher, ironically the Former FEMALE British Prime Minister, had more insightful words to say as an advocate of equal opportunity and “feminism”:

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't. “


What she is saying here is that women trying to showcase their position as savvy, worthy, powerful authority figures, should prove it through their unspoken actions, not through using not using their sex as a base of comparison.


Ever heard of the term to have a “boy look”? An infamous notion that when a boy is told to look for something, he will just half heartedly “skim” through without looking more thoroughly? That is what we, Australia as a nation, are doing. We lose our logic in amidst the notions of creating a female empowered society.


I believe that Australia should step back from this current media circus influence and focus on what the role is about and not for whom it should go to. It is more important to choose the correct person for the job than to go along with the trends.

I'd certainly hope that they pick the person who best fits the requirements; best suited, and will give the most to the position. Age, background, and gender should not dictate or restrict candidates. We shouldn’t base our choice on picking a man as the governor because the role has historically been giving to a man, neither should we pick a woman simply because a woman has never assigned the role before. Candidates should be considered by the Government and society, not because of the gender.

In choosing the next Governor of our state, I hope that Australia has more of a “girl” look. Women are merited for being more thorough and insightful and that should how we are when it comes to choosing who should govern our country and in essence, our lives.