Gender Equity Forum

This week 25 MLC School girls from Year 10 and Year 11 had the opportunity to take part in a Newington gender equity forum that focussed on the topic: ‘Women in Sport’. We had the great privilege of listening to two highly accomplished guest speakers: three-time Olympian and Silver Medallist in the 2024 Olympics, MLC School Old Girl Keesja Nicholson (Gofers, 2007), a former water polo athlete, and Iliseva Batibasaga, a Rugby World Cup medallist who represented Australia in 27 tests, now coaching the Waratahs.

Both Ms Nicholson and Ms Batibasaga shared some great insights into the world of sport for women, particularly in managing stereotypes about family life alongside competing at elite-levels. Their discussions opened the floor to some interesting reflections on the gender pay gap, and the power of the spectator and other sporting figureheads in implementing institutional change for women. They touched on the augmentation of viewership in sport following other female successes in the field, such as the Matildas, and the importance of having women as role models for inspiring change in the future.

We also had the chance to split into smaller breakout groups, where we discussed questions regarding different factors that affect women in this area. Everyone had a chance to share their own insights into the topics, and it was really intriguing and encouraging to hear everyone’s different views and perspectives.

– Ella Hu and Olivia Ebel (Year 11)