Michelle Guthrie.
The ABC is launching a cadetship scheme to encourage women to enter the film and television industry as part of its support for International Women’s Day and the #PressforProgress campaign.
The 12-month Your Time cadetships are supported by Screen Australia and are aimed at women who want to develop screen skills, especially in the fields of camera, sound, directing and other craft roles where women are historically under-represented.
The ABC will also promote IWD 2018 across its platforms with specialist programming and guest presenters, highlighting the contribution of broadcasters, program makers and women behind-the-scenes throughout the organisation.
Following on from last year’s IWD programming schedule which was well received by audiences, ABC programs across television and radio will be presented by all women line-ups on Thursday.
ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie said International Women’s Day was an important opportunity not only to celebrate the contribution women make in the workplace but also to highlight where work still needs to be done.
“While women are equally represented across the ABC board and in our leadership positions, International Women’s Day affords us the opportunity to focus attention on the work still to be done,” Ms Guthrie said.
“We lead the industry in our representation of women in presenter roles on many of our programs and we work hard to ensure our audiences hear these voices every day.
“But there is still more work to be done so that our content reflects the Australian population, so women are equally represented in the stories we tell, the experts we interview and the comedians who make us laugh. We also play an important role in ensuring Australian children grow up watching programs where girls are equally represented in all types of roles.
“The Your Time cadetships demonstrate the commitment of the ABC and Screen Australia to ensuring women get more opportunities.”
The scheme was inspired by Screen Australia’s Gender Matters initiative. For more information go here
Among the IWD program highlights on Thursday:
ABC KIDS iview will host a Go Girls Go collection including Dot, Get Grubby, Justine Clarke, Peg + Cat, Peppa Pig.
ABC ME will host an International Women’s Day collection including Advice to My 12-Year-Old Self, Girls Change the World – The Activism Film, Get My Job and My Life – What’s A Girl.
ABC Education programming block will screen Girls Change the World – The Activism Film and International Student Stories.
iview: the IWD collection will include One Plus One, Australian Story, Women’s Work and Pop-Ability.
ABC COMEDY: On The Tonightly, Tom Ballard steps aside for the day and Greta Lee-Jackson and Bridie Connell will take the reins.