Sexism still rife in boardrooms

International Women's Day panelists, from left, John McBeth, Kerry Prendergast, Roger Sowry, Louise Nelson, Anna Guenther and Simon Manning. Photo: Cloe Willetts.

In a busy smoke filled newsroom, John McBeth sat filling the ears of listeners with 1970s sporting accounts, the then-emerging New Zealand broadcaster one of a group of sports-mad voices taking over the media.

Around him, his all-male broadcasting and journalism team shared gripping stories of men's sporting achievements - tales told about men, by men and, predominantly, for men.

"Back then it was a male-dominated job," said the well-known television sports broadcaster, who was one of six guest speakers at last Tuesday's International Women's Day (IWD) event in Kapiti.

With more than 40 years in the industry, Mr McBeth shared his experience at the Is it All in the Genes? lunch, held at Southward Car Museum and organised by Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Kapiti.

"If I were a woman I wouldn't be calling myself a career broadcaster, because in the beginning there were no female sports broadcasters or journalists.

"Everyone was reading about sport from a male perspective and when women reporters did enter the industry in the 1980s, they faced sexism of the highest order from a minority of males, and I witnessed it."

Mr McBeth, who entertained just under 200 guests over a lunch courtesy of Party Perfect Catering, acknowledged the importance of IWD in helping to achieve gender equality across differing spheres.

"Even though the door isn't shut on female sports reporters today, getting through that door is still bloody difficult."

IWD, an event that has run annually since 1975, was also celebrated by panelists including former Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast and former MP and politician Roger Sowry, also president of Kapiti Rotary Club.

Rotary district governor Simon Manning also shared a personal account of family gender roles, while Louise Nelson, a RNZAF helicopter crewman and new mum, spoke about her experience as a crewman and the differences and compatibilities of men and women at work.

Radio New Zealand's Wallace Chapman hosted the event and welcomed a final speech from PledgeMe founder Anna Guenther, who addressed the topic of fairness in a corporate context.

She discussed subconscious gender biases and her experience actively bridging the gap, as CEO for the popular crowdfunding website.

Recently listed as one of the top 10 innovators in New Zealand by Idealog Magazine, Ms Guenther recalled being among only three women interviewed for the feature.

"I asked where all the women were, and they said they'd tried to get more but couldn't find any," she said.

"So I went out and crowd sourced overnight and got over 500 names of women they could be interviewing."

As a result, the magazine went on to cover inspiring stories from the selection of women and, according to Ms Guenther, followed through with a diversity policy.

"Something I realised while going through this process was that I, in my own board, didn't have gender equality.

"I was CEO and only one of the board member positions was held by a woman, and that was me."

With two new female members now on the board, Ms Guenther's message reinforced the key objectives shared through IWD.

"If we want to see a change, we have to start with ourselves, and that often has to happen in our own backyard or boardroom."