Plan International launches new podcast Sexism and the City

Can a street be sexist? How is there still a pay gap in 2018? How has sexism changed since the 1960s?

Media personality Jan Fran tackles the important questions we need to be asking in Sexism and the City, a new podcast by girls’ rights organisation Plan International – which launched on Wednesday, November 28th 2018.

“Every woman I know has a story about everyday sexism, the kind you encounter on the street, in a work meeting, at a bar and it’s the kind you might shrug off and dismiss as ’not that big a deal’. I reckon the time for shrugging off might be coming to an end and I hope this podcast goes some way towards highlighting how every day sexism and harassment affects women and girls and what they can do about it,” said Jan.

Sexism And The City explores modern day gender inequality, exploring sometimes challenging issues from unexpected angles – from sexist streets to situational awareness and street harassment.

Over seven episodes, Jan interviews young women, experts, comedians and media personalities, including Judith Lucy and Jamila Rizvi.

She also takes a trip down memory lane with feminist icon Merle Thornton – who famously fought for women’s right to drink alongside men in Australian bars – to see how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go to reach true equality.

Plan International CEO Susanne Legena said the podcast aimed to create conversations in the community and inspire women and men of all ages to challenge social norms and proactively work to change the world around them.

“Plan International’s research has revealed the scourge of harassment, sexism and discrimination young women and girls face – in every city in the world, from Sydney to the Sao Paulo, they are more vulnerable simply because they were born a girl,” said Ms Legena.

“We want to create a movement for equality where all children – girls and boys – no matter where they live can be free, equal and safe.”

Jan said: “Changing our reality starts with the belief that men and women should have – could have – equal rights and representation.

“We are half the population but until we are equally represented in public life we won’t really have equality – it’ll continue to be a man’s world that we inhabit.”

About Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.