Maria Kovacic (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a speech by Aarna Gupta and a part of the Raise Our Voice Australia initiative.

Gender equality is a human right, not a female fight. Greetings to anyone listening. My name is Aarna Gupta, and I'm from the centre of excellence and Richmond high school campus. Often, when one thinks about gender equality, they associate it with the female gender. However, this is an incorrect statement. Females shouldn't be the ones fighting for equal pay, respect and the same appreciation. To begin with, let us recognise that gender equality benefits everyone. It is not a zero-sum game where one gender gains at the expense of another. When women have the same opportunity and rights as men, society as a whole benefits. Studies have shown that gender-diverse teams are more innovative and companies with more women in leadership positions perform better financially. Moreover, when women have control over their reproductive choices, family sizes tend to decrease, leading to improved economic prospects for families and societies.

The fight for gender equality is not about pitting one gender against the other; it is about addressing challenging, harmful stereotypes and dismantling the rigid gender roles that restrict both women and men. It's about giving everyone the freedom to pursue their passions, ambitions and potential without being constrained by societal expectations based on their gender.

Aarna, thank you for your inspiring speech on gender equality. Your voice is one of the most powerful things that you possess. I encourage you to keep using it to fight for what you believe in and for the rights of others.