We have a responsibility to empower women and men to work towards ending harassment, prominent LA-based leader in the #MeToo movement Louisette Geiss has said, particularly in industries where there is an existing gender imbalance.
Ms Geiss said that we need to shift away from what women and men have been asked to accept for hundreds of years.
“Let’s create a new reality where both women and men are equally respected, and therefore enjoy a better work environment because of it. I feel strongly that we need to hold each other up and hold each other accountable,” she said.
“Regardless of whether you are in the real estate industry or entertainment industry, it’s incredibly vital that we respect one another and work towards ending the negative power struggle that has been widely accepted.”
Ms Geiss is one of the first women to publicly come forward against Harvey Weinstein and the lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit against The Weinstein Company.
She will be speaking to professional women at the REINSW Women in Real Estate conference in Sydney this month about equalising power, particularly in the male-dominated real estate industry.
REINSW president Leanne Pilkington said that this is a great opportunity to effect change.
“We can all learn a great deal from Louisette, as a women’s rights advocate and champion of change. We are very excited to give Australian women the chance to hear her.
“We’re extremely honoured to have Louisette speak at this year’s WIRE conference to discuss this very relevant issue.”
Other speakers at the event include the founder of Good Deeds Property Buyers, Veronica Morgan, who will present on mastering difficult conversations, and REA branding specialist Imogen Ball, who will talk about overcoming the challenges of a modern-day businesswoman.
Also on the roster are the co-founder of real estate company Morton, Ewan Morton; Belle Property principal Cathy Baker; body language expert Dr Louise Mahler; and the CEO of Domestic Violence NSW, Moo Baulch. They will present across a range of topics.
The conference is on 26 March.