PORT Macquarie-Hastings mayor and council's CEO will jointly sign a letter to state and federal ministers in support of recent Australia-wide rallies highlighting the call for better workplace safety for women.
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It comes off the back of nationwide Women March 4 Justice rallies where campaigners called out gendered violence and sexism.
Mayor Peta Pinson and CEO Dr Clare Hayes will write to Federal Minister for Women, the Hon Marise Payne and the state Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, the Hon Bronnie Taylor calling for women in workplaces to be free from sexual abuse, harassment, sexism, verbal abuse and intimidation.
They will also strongly urge all levels of government to update their legislation to reflect women's safety in the workplace.
Read more: Brittany Higgins addresses women's rally
"It's important as an employer, and an employer of a vast amount of women, that the safety of women in the workplace is paramount.
"It's been stated that as women, if we do not share our stories and shine a light on the inequities, things will not change. All women should choose to challenge unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.
"I do want to say, this is not a feminist statement by any means. I do want to make the comment having great respect for men, that the rise of women does not need to come at the cost of, or the fall of, men."
All women know what we endure, what we have to cope with, what we have to turn our cheek to in order to preserve our position, to avoid those things which abusive men dish out to us. I am also very mindful that we need to be respectful of all people. I believe we need to stand up for the rights of everyone to be free from abuse, harassment and intimidation.
- Cr Lisa Intemann
Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann supported the intent of council's action but requested the statement acknowledge the importance of workplace safety for women and "all people".
"I absolutely agree with the need to affirm the importance of the safety of women. I cannot let this go forward without also mentioning that all people should have these rights and that we should be standing up for those rights for everyone.
"I certainly appreciate the need, the desire to stand up at this moment in time in defense of women.
"All women know what we endure, what we have to cope with, what we have to turn our cheek to in order to preserve our position, to avoid those things which abusive men dish out to us. I am also very mindful that we need to be respectful of all people.
"I believe we need to stand up for the rights of everyone to be free from abuse, harassment and intimidation.
"It is really horrifying to see some men believing the rise of women is in fact a challenge to them. We are two wings of the same bird ... and together we are stronger. My heart is with the rise of all of us."
This matter has been brought forward as a result of the alleged rape of a young woman in the highest of houses within our country. And it has trickled down into the workplaces of everyone in Australia.
- Mayor Peta Pinson
Councillors all agreed not to dilute the powerful message directed at Parliament from women and men across the country last week in Women March 4 Justice rallies.
Cr Pinson said this is a moment for women.
"Of course all people should be free of bullying, harassment, sexism, sexual assault, poor behaviour - you name it - we should come to work and feel safe in our workplace whether we are male or female," Cr Pinson added.
"This matter has been brought forward as a result of the alleged rape of a young woman in the highest of houses within our country.
"And it has trickled down into the workplaces of everyone in Australia."
Cr Rob Turner said he was personally moved by the outpouring of emotion as women demanded their voices be heard.
"You don't have to dig too far to find a lot of examples of institutionalised, unfair treatment of women in the workplace and I think it's something that definitely needs to change," Cr Turner said.
He called for workplace legislation across the nation to be re-written to acknowledge the calls for women's safety in the workplace.
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