The Address

23/11/2020 – Poem a Day Compilation



Politics and sexism have gone hand in hand

For more years than I care to remember

Some more subtle than others but

None of it warranted in the least.



You would have thought that calling attention

To act after disgraceful act of misogyny

Would slow it down somewhat

But the bull keeps raging on.



I could address every such instance

And the expose would take many volumes

Given I can think off the top of my head

Of at least ten in only five years.



But none of these events should have happened

When it was so succinctly spelled out

In that famous speech eight years ago

By one Julia Gillard, PM.



Each and every woman should repeat

On a loop if deemed necessary

Those famous words she did utter

Regarding the leader of the opposition.



        I will not be lectured

        About sexism

        And misogyny

        By this man.



She went on in astounding detail

To recount his many misdeeds

And, to use her perfectly accurate words,

His repulsive double standards.



This address fell on the deaf ears

Of the men who should help lead our country

And even other women as well

Who make excuses for their colleagues behaviour.



Fast forward to more recent times

When a female member of parliament

Offered her resignation from her party

And the male members walked out on her.



Or perhaps when the supposed leader

Turned his back to play on his phone

Ignoring a female member of parliament

As she spoke to those assembled.



If our leaders cannot set an example

Of how to exercise equality of the sexes

What hope this there for society

Unless we remove them from power.



We must address the problem

By using our democratic right

To vote for people who walk the walk

Instead of just paying lip service to change.






The full transcript of Julia Gillard’s 2012 Misogyny Speech can be found here:

https://singjupost.com/julia-gillards-misogyny-speech-2012-full-transcript/?singlepage=1