In light of a group chat made with the intent to degrade women being exposed by Miss Universe Australia, Maria Thattil, there has been a call for action in stopping and reforming the behaviours of those who objectify and sexualise others in order to create a respectful and harmonious society in which men and women can be seen as equals. 

Behaviour that sexualises either men or women is unacceptable and shouldn’t be taken lightly or as a joke. As a society, we cannot excuse it as childish behaviour that’ll be fixed once a person has matured. Excusing this behaviour, further encourages people to believe that it is okay to degrade and sexualise others as objects rather than people and that is not unacceptable. People should not have to experience this type of exploitation and disrespect due to someone’s inability to give decency and respect to others. Feminism speaks of men and women holding equal rights and equal opportunities. So while we focus on this issue that is prevalent in our society, we must encourage change from both men and women. This is an issue of horrible attitudes and behaviour that members of both sexes hold and true change cannot occur until both men and women can change these attitudes for the better. Being an issue that both genders face, yet in different proportions, we should be reforming behaviour in order to create a respectful culture for all people. 

Furthermore, these attitudes and behaviours are learnt and implemented at young age, in which children copy and mock behaviours they see, hear and experience in life. These attitudes are carried on into high school where it is amplified by the culture of misogyny and values that are deeply rooted in the high school community. This unfortunately then leads on into the workforce where it becomes even worse and once the behaviour is consolidated it cannot be reformed. So the message is clear is it not? We need to implement compulsory education on respect, consent and teach children from a young age up until they enter the workforce what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behaviour while regarding the other gender or even speaking amongst themselves. We want the department of education to enforce this and create a curriculum that must teach consent, learning about people’s boundaries, how to respect other people, and compulsory health education about these issues from younger year levels all the way through to university, in order for a better more respectful and dignified society, where both men and women can be respected and be protected from these vile and disgusting behaviours.