In the latter half of 2023, Victoria witnessed a transition of power when the long-serving premier resigned, paving the way for his deputy, Jacinta Allen, to assume the role. Allen, a woman with decades of experience in Australian state politics, was elected by her party as the new premier. However, a dismissive comment in a recent conversation questioned the legitimacy of her position.

The remark, in response to a TV commentator noting that Allen is only the second woman to lead Victoria, suggested that she hadn't earned her

position because she hadn't won an election. The implication was that she had the role handed to her, raising concerns about her qualifications and actual ability to lead. I find this sentiment troubling, especially as I’ve heard similar comments made about my own achievements – “She only got it by default.” Such attitudes reflect an undercurrent of bias that often surfaces when women achieve leadership roles.

The argument presented against Allen is rooted in the misconception that winning an election is the sole measure of legitimacy in politics. In fact, in the Australian political system, individuals first run for a parliamentary seat and then, if successful, are chosen by their party to lead. This pathway is the same for both men and women, yet it seems criticism disproportionately targets female leaders.

The scepticism surrounding Allen’s ascent brought to mind the 2002 Winter Olympics, specifically the speed skating event where Stephen Bradbury

secured an unexpected gold medal. Celebrated for his resilience as the last skater standing after others had fallen, Bradbury's unorthodox victory was

lauded. This begs the question: Why do we readily dismiss women's achievements when they don't conform to established norms, while simultaneously applauding men for breaking the mold?

The incident with Allen highlights a broader issue: the subtle, often unacknowledged bias against women in leadership roles. Even well-intentioned individuals may harbour unconscious beliefs that women somehow don't deserve to be in positions of power, and is even more marked for women of

colour, migrants, refugees, disabled women, and older women. However, as we face and address these challenges, it's essential to recognise and celebrate the inherent power within women. Women's strength and resilience have been honed over generations of being underestimated and undervalued. The narrative that women must prove their worth more than their male counterparts must be dismantled. Women are powerful, not in spite of their struggles, but because of them.

The call to action is clear:

·      Women - reject the lie that you are less deserving of leadership roles, stand in your power.

·      And men – check your biases, especially in casual conversations where you may think it doesn’t matter. It all matters.

The power of women lies within. It's time to unapologetically embrace it.