Sam Mostyn on women breaking through in business, sport and equal opportunity
Dec 12, 2023
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Sam Mostyn, a leader in business, sport, and policy, discusses mental health, gender equality, and women breaking through in a man's world. They explore experiences of discrimination, misogyny in various settings, and the economic value of removing barriers for women. They also discuss the role of women in sports and the need to redefine power structures.
Sam Mostyn played a pivotal role in establishing the AFLW, showcasing the talent and diversity of female athletes, and challenging existing power structures in sports.
Sam emphasizes the need for systemic changes and support networks to enable women to balance career and family responsibilities.
The economic benefits of achieving gender equality are significant, with the potential to generate a value of $128 billion for the Australian economy alone.
Deep dives
Women's Role in Football and Breaking Barriers
The podcast episode explores Sam Mostyn's journey as the first female commissioner of the AFL and her role in establishing women's football. Despite facing hate mail and resistance from the football community, she persisted and pushed for strategic work to be done on the viability of a women's league. The establishment of AFLW has been a tremendous success, showcasing the talent and diversity of female athletes and attracting a broader fan base. Sam emphasizes the importance of women having a league of their own and the need for systemic changes to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for women. She also highlights the power of sport in challenging existing power structures and redefining what it means to be powerful.
Balancing Career and Family Life
Sam discusses how she has managed to balance her career and family life. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner who recognizes the value of equality and shares responsibilities. Sam acknowledges that having only one child made it easier for her to navigate career choices, but she also recognizes the challenges faced by many women who juggle multiple children and careers. She believes that women should not be too hard on themselves and should surround themselves with supportive people who understand the unique circumstances faced by women. Sam also highlights the need for systemic changes, such as the provision of affordable and accessible childcare, to support women in their professional pursuits.
The Economic Value of Gender Equality
The podcast episode explores the economic benefits of achieving gender equality. Sam mentions the Deloitte Access Economics report, which states that removing barriers to women's full and equal participation in the economy could generate a value of $128 billion for the Australian economy. She emphasizes the wasted potential in not fully harnessing the talent and contributions of women. Sam also highlights the systemic barriers that hold women back, including gendered expectations around caring responsibilities and the lack of support in policies and systems. She calls for the recognition and value of women's economic contributions and stresses the need for a shift in societal mindsets to achieve true gender equality.
Addressing Misogyny and Gendered Values
Sam reflects on her experiences of misogyny throughout her career, including being treated differently in the legal profession and facing opposition as a female commissioner in the AFL. She highlights the presence of entrenched gendered values, where traditionally male-dominated interests are seen as important, while those traditionally associated with women are trivialized. Sam speaks against the separation of values and calls for a redefinition of power structures to include a broader range of perspectives. She also discusses the need for men to engage in conversations about gender equality and challenges the societal norms that perpetuate misogyny.
The Importance of Redefining Power
Sam emphasizes the importance of redefining power structures to create a more equitable society. She believes that power should not be determined by gender, and that women should be unburdened by the constant concerns related to personal safety and gender expectations. Sam advocates for a world where power is not dictated by traditional gender roles and encourages women to challenge the existing systems and norms. She believes that women have an important role to play in reshaping power dynamics and that gender equality benefits society as a whole.
Sam Mostyn has had a formidable career in executive positions, working across business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not for profit.
She recently led the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, and was the first woman AFL Commissioner, where she spearheaded the creation of a women’s league.
Now Sam is taking over from Julia as Chair of Beyond Blue, Australia’s leading mental health support service.
In this episode, Julia and Sam discuss mental health, gender equality and how women can succeed in what is often still very much a man’s world.
