Gender Equality

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/new-zealand-sexist-road-signs-girl-letter/?fbclid=IwAR2wJaMyME63rps9aK02jjyx5v6vDSnvH5ROW-wBCK-M4Bq4Kc3upU7y8O8

Zoe Carew lives in New Zealand and is seven years old. On the way to visit her grandma she spotted a hazard sign warning people there were electricians working overhead. The electricians are called Linemen.

Zoe felt there was something wrong with the sign and wrote to the head of the New Zealand Transport agency . In her letter she wrote,
"I wondered why it said "MEN" when women can be line-workers too. I don't really want to be a line-worker when I grow up because there are so many more exciting things I would like to do, but some girls might want to learn to be line-women. Why does the sign say "Linemen" when the people working on the lines may be men or women? I think the sign is wrong and unfair. Do you agree?"

The transport agency agreed with Zoe and have announced they will change all the signs. Posting on twitter, they said, "We were happy to take Zoe's suggestion on board because great ideas can come from anyone, including seven-year-olds! Good on you, Zoe!"

What do you see in the picture?
Do you recognise the country?
What does the sign mean?
What do you think the story is?

Explain the story

- Where is New Zealand?
- Why did Zoe say the sign was wrong?
- Why do you think the sign says "Linemen"?
- What is gender equality?
- How has gender equality changed?
- Why do you think the transport agency decided to listen to the views of a seven year old?
- What does this tell us about people around the world and how they see gender equality?
- What law do we have in the UK that protects people of different gender? (The Equality Act 2010)
- Why is this story a good example of Pupil Voice?
- What can we learn from Zoe?
- What can we learn from the transport agency?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary Schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat