According to an article in The Weekend Australian, it looks like campaigns for gender equality might need a rethink. Research is showing commissioned by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership across 31 countries shows 51% believe men are being asked to do too much to support gender equality. 60% of Generation Z men aged 18 to 27 think that gender equality has gone too far and is unfair to men. This comes after an interview with former prime minister Julia Gillard, who’s wondering if it’s really fair to bring young men along on the equality journey if it’s leaving them out or making them feel less important. She also expressed concern about the hardening attitude of young men and being open to social media influencer, Andrew Tate, who promotes masculinity and domination.

Julia also reflected on her speech on misogyny in parliament back in 2012, and she felt like it really caught the spirit of the time and realises that this generation of women and girls, who see her speech as an anthem, aren’t willing to just stay quiet and accept things as they are. Instead, they’re ready to speak up if they face harassment at work or in their lives.

However, as a lifelong feminist, Julia’s critical and analytical side highlights the obvious shortcomings in involving young men in this journey, saying “It’s clearly landed in a way that is felt exclusionary or diminishing for particularly young men.”

Julia believes now is the time and it’s essential for men and women to have the conversation. “How do we reshape the way we are campaigning for gender equality so that we are explaining what I deeply believe to be true, which is that gender equal world will be better for everyone.”